Terushi Shimizu, former leader of Sony's semiconductor business, joins AI Power
AI Power Co., Ltd. announced that Terushi Shimizu, who served as President and CEO and Chairman of Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, will join the company as Semiconductor Executive Advisor on May 1, 2026. This move is expected to accelerate the development and widespread adoption of their next-generation security semiconductor, ATOM.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 02:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 17:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 20:59 (3h 27m after Collected)
AI Power Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shinji Matsuda; hereinafter "AI Power") announced that Terushi Shimizu, who has served as Representative Director, President and CEO, and Chairman of Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, will be appointed as the company's Semiconductor Executive Advisor, effective May 1, 2026.
AI Power is developing "ATOM," a next-generation security semiconductor, and has currently commenced trial mass production of an initial batch of 2,000 units, entering the verification phase in real-world environments. With Mr. Shimizu's participation, further acceleration of future development and widespread adoption is expected.
■ Background of Advisor Appointment
AI Power is an advanced Japanese company with a mission to realize "AI technology that addresses challenges faced by human society." To date, the company has worked on improving energy conversion technology applying next-generation solid-state batteries and photocatalysts, as well as developing and disseminating "ATOM," the ultimate security semiconductor device that applies natural physical phenomena.
After joining Sony, Mr. Shimizu experienced development to mass production as a semiconductor process engineer. In 2016, he was appointed as the first President of Sony Semiconductor Solutions, where he achieved rapid growth, tripling sales in 10 years, and was a central figure in cultivating the semiconductor business, which was a minor entity within the group, into one of the pillars of "Sony's Technology."
Mr. Shimizu's participation, with his broad knowledge, experience, and network ranging from semiconductor development to business deployment, will be a significant force for the ATOM business, which aims for global expansion. Therefore, we requested his appointment, and it has now been realized.
■ Features of ATOM Technology
With the spread of AI, impersonation and unauthorized access are becoming more sophisticated. Furthermore, the development of quantum computers points to risks associated with reliance on conventional cryptography.
To address these issues, ATOM leverages random numbers derived from the physical phenomenon of atomic nucleus decay to achieve high security, including:
• High unpredictability
• Reduced attack risk through one-time authentication
• Design compatible with existing systems
Moreover, this aims to provide practical and deployable security measures by achieving:
• Decoupling from software dependence
• Enhanced hardware-based authentication
This technology is not designed to replace existing authentication methods but to supplement and strengthen current security, offering a wide range of applications.
■ Transition to Implementation Phase
Currently, ATOM technology has advanced beyond the research and development stage and is moving into the following phases:
• Commencement of trial mass production (initial batch of 2,000 units)
• Implementation of heat resistance tests (100℃) assuming data center environments
• Implementation of operational stability tests in a temperature range of -40℃ to +80℃
• Commencement of operational verification for server authentication applications
In temperature tests, the stability of authentication operations and random number generation has been confirmed in environments ranging from low temperatures (-40℃) to high temperatures (+80℃), verifying the basic environmental resistance required for industrial and data center applications.
Heat resistance tests at 100℃ are also being conducted to evaluate operational continuity and device durability under high-temperature conditions.
The business phase is currently in the following first stage. With Mr. Shimizu's participation, we aim for rapid and reliable commercialization in the future.
1. Trial mass production and environmental testing
2. Demonstration deployment in limited environments (data centers, industrial applications)
3. Mass production and application expansion
Reference: AI Power Co., Ltd. announces the ultimate secure communication method using the world's first mutual authentication device "ATOM" with a unique key | AI Power Co., Ltd. Press Release
■ Comments
● Semiconductor Executive Advisor
Terushi Shimizu
"Semiconductors require consistent quality from design to manufacturing and reliability testing. This initiative is a critical phase transitioning from prototyping to implementation, and it is essential to steadily establish each of these steps. We will focus on making it a viable product for actual use."
● Representative Director, AI Power Co., Ltd.
Shinji Matsuda
"ATOM has already entered the manufacturing and verification stage. In addition to this trial mass production of 2,000 units, we are conducting 100℃ heat resistance tests and -40℃ to +80℃ temperature environment tests to advance evaluation in real-world environments. We believe we have moved beyond the research stage and into the phase of determining 'whether it can be used.' Going forward, we will build reliability through actual deployment."
—
■ Terushi Shimizu's Career
Joined Sony (now Sony Group) in 1980. After working as a semiconductor process engineer and in management planning, he was involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductors for PlayStation 2 and 3 game consoles at SCE (now SIE) from 1999. From 2010, CIS business.
AI Power is developing "ATOM," a next-generation security semiconductor, and has currently commenced trial mass production of an initial batch of 2,000 units, entering the verification phase in real-world environments. With Mr. Shimizu's participation, further acceleration of future development and widespread adoption is expected.
■ Background of Advisor Appointment
AI Power is an advanced Japanese company with a mission to realize "AI technology that addresses challenges faced by human society." To date, the company has worked on improving energy conversion technology applying next-generation solid-state batteries and photocatalysts, as well as developing and disseminating "ATOM," the ultimate security semiconductor device that applies natural physical phenomena.
After joining Sony, Mr. Shimizu experienced development to mass production as a semiconductor process engineer. In 2016, he was appointed as the first President of Sony Semiconductor Solutions, where he achieved rapid growth, tripling sales in 10 years, and was a central figure in cultivating the semiconductor business, which was a minor entity within the group, into one of the pillars of "Sony's Technology."
Mr. Shimizu's participation, with his broad knowledge, experience, and network ranging from semiconductor development to business deployment, will be a significant force for the ATOM business, which aims for global expansion. Therefore, we requested his appointment, and it has now been realized.
■ Features of ATOM Technology
With the spread of AI, impersonation and unauthorized access are becoming more sophisticated. Furthermore, the development of quantum computers points to risks associated with reliance on conventional cryptography.
To address these issues, ATOM leverages random numbers derived from the physical phenomenon of atomic nucleus decay to achieve high security, including:
• High unpredictability
• Reduced attack risk through one-time authentication
• Design compatible with existing systems
Moreover, this aims to provide practical and deployable security measures by achieving:
• Decoupling from software dependence
• Enhanced hardware-based authentication
This technology is not designed to replace existing authentication methods but to supplement and strengthen current security, offering a wide range of applications.
■ Transition to Implementation Phase
Currently, ATOM technology has advanced beyond the research and development stage and is moving into the following phases:
• Commencement of trial mass production (initial batch of 2,000 units)
• Implementation of heat resistance tests (100℃) assuming data center environments
• Implementation of operational stability tests in a temperature range of -40℃ to +80℃
• Commencement of operational verification for server authentication applications
In temperature tests, the stability of authentication operations and random number generation has been confirmed in environments ranging from low temperatures (-40℃) to high temperatures (+80℃), verifying the basic environmental resistance required for industrial and data center applications.
Heat resistance tests at 100℃ are also being conducted to evaluate operational continuity and device durability under high-temperature conditions.
The business phase is currently in the following first stage. With Mr. Shimizu's participation, we aim for rapid and reliable commercialization in the future.
1. Trial mass production and environmental testing
2. Demonstration deployment in limited environments (data centers, industrial applications)
3. Mass production and application expansion
Reference: AI Power Co., Ltd. announces the ultimate secure communication method using the world's first mutual authentication device "ATOM" with a unique key | AI Power Co., Ltd. Press Release
■ Comments
● Semiconductor Executive Advisor
Terushi Shimizu
"Semiconductors require consistent quality from design to manufacturing and reliability testing. This initiative is a critical phase transitioning from prototyping to implementation, and it is essential to steadily establish each of these steps. We will focus on making it a viable product for actual use."
● Representative Director, AI Power Co., Ltd.
Shinji Matsuda
"ATOM has already entered the manufacturing and verification stage. In addition to this trial mass production of 2,000 units, we are conducting 100℃ heat resistance tests and -40℃ to +80℃ temperature environment tests to advance evaluation in real-world environments. We believe we have moved beyond the research stage and into the phase of determining 'whether it can be used.' Going forward, we will build reliability through actual deployment."
—
■ Terushi Shimizu's Career
Joined Sony (now Sony Group) in 1980. After working as a semiconductor process engineer and in management planning, he was involved in the development and manufacturing of semiconductors for PlayStation 2 and 3 game consoles at SCE (now SIE) from 1999. From 2010, CIS business.