October 31, 2025
“Testing isn’t just something that happens after the fact anymore,” Slessor said. “It’s part of the design process itself. It helps engineers understand how devices behave in real time so they can learn faster and improve yield more efficiently.”
As the semiconductor industry pushes toward smaller geometries, 3D integration, and AI-driven applications, the way chips are designed, tested, and manufactured is evolving faster than ever. In a recent podcast with Ayna.ai, FormFactor CEO Mike Slessor joined Ayna President and Head of Semiconductor, Vineet Gupta to talk about how semiconductor testing is adapting to meet the challenges of the next decade.
Slessor pointed out that testing has moved from being a back-end activity to a core part of the innovation process. As chiplet and 3D IC architectures gain traction, wafer-level testing is now essential, not just for yield optimization, but for design validation and performance assurance long before packaging begins.
“Testing isn’t just something that happens after the fact anymore,” Slessor said. “It’s part of the design process itself. It helps engineers understand how devices behave in real time so they can learn faster and improve yield more efficiently.”
FormFactor’s test and measurement solutions are built for what’s next, from AI accelerators and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to quantum devices. Slessor shared how the company’s wafer probe systems and cryogenic platforms are enabling customers to push performance, reliability, and precision further than ever before.
The conversation also touched on the growing role of automation and data analytics in modern fabs. As Slessor noted, “We’re seeing test and manufacturing data come together in new ways. That integration is unlocking a higher level of process intelligence and control.”
Looking ahead, Slessor expects deeper collaboration between toolmakers, device designers, and test solution providers to shape the next era of semiconductor innovation. The challenges ahead, ranging from scaling complexity to sustainability, will require the industry to rethink traditional boundaries between lab and fab.
At FormFactor, that future is already in motion. The company continues to invest in wafer-level metrology, cryogenic probing, and automation technologies that bring lab-grade precision into high-volume production environments.