Over the past half-century, technology has transformed the world—bringing us smartphones, digital cameras, and artificial intelligence. Yet behind every breakthrough lie not only successes but also setbacks and ethical dilemmas. In a conversation with NEWS.am Tech, Yoshiaki Daimon Hagiwara, founder of the AIPLAB consortium, president of LOCOMTEC AIPS Laboratories, and laureate of the State Award of the Republic of Armenia for global contributions to high technology, shared his insights on key achievements in semiconductors, the importance of teamwork, and the responsibility of using technology.

Semiconductor Breakthroughs: From Silicon to New Frontiers

The evolution of semiconductors has been the foundation of modern electronics. In the 1970s, the shift from germanium to silicon—pioneered by William Shockley at Bell Labs—was revolutionary, according to Hagiwara. With its 1.1 eV energy band gap, silicon enabled scalable CMOS technology, the basis for microprocessors and modern smartphones. Another major milestone was the development of CMOS image sensors, which replaced CCDs and made digital photography more accessible and efficient. These achievements, Hagiwara notes, were thrilling because they redefined how devices—from video cameras to mobile gadgets—were built.

Not all expectations, however, were fulfilled. Research into gallium oxide, with its wide 4.8 eV band gap, promised a revolution in power electronics, but progress has been slower than anticipated. Meanwhile, gallium nitride (3.4–3.8 eV) became the foundation for blue LEDs and lasers, thanks to the work of Shuji Nakamura’s team at Nagoya University—work that earned them a Nobel Prize. This experience taught Hagiwara that even the most promising ideas can be outpaced by unexpected competitors.

Working at Sony: From CCD to CMOS and the Freedom to Experiment

In the 1970s, Hagiwara joined Sony and took part in developing CCD sensors for video cameras such as the ICX-008. Though initially skeptical of CCDs—viewing them as a dead end—he was an advocate for CMOS. It was Sony’s open innovation culture that ultimately led to success. Engineers were encouraged to experiment and collaborate, supported by management that funded innovation with profits from TVs and radios. This led to landmark products like camcorders and the PlayStation. As Hagiwara had predicted, CMOS sensors eventually became the standard, delivering high resolution and energy efficiency in today’s cameras.

Ethical Dilemmas: When Technology Is Misused

One of the most painful aspects of Hagiwara’s career is seeing technology intended for civilian use repurposed for harmful purposes, including warfare. He was shocked to learn that CCD sensors developed for consumer cameras had been used in missiles during the Iran conflict. A similar situation occurred with PlayStation 3 processors, which the U.S. government used in supercomputers. These moments reminded him of Albert Einstein’s moral struggles after his discoveries in nuclear physics contributed to the development of weapons. Hagiwara emphasizes that technology must serve humanity and improve life—not destroy it. He believes the future of AI and robotics must focus on good and on helping people.

Encounters with Visionaries and the Power of Teams

Working at Sony brought Hagiwara into contact with visionaries like Steve Jobs, whose passion for ideas and ability to connect technology with human needs left a deep impression. Jobs discussed partnerships with Sony, such as connecting the Walkman and PlayStation to the internet—ideas that were revolutionary at the time. This experience reinforced Hagiwara’s belief in the importance of freedom to experiment and collaborate.

He compares innovation to childhood play. At school, he and his friends divided homework tasks so they could finish quickly and play baseball. At Sony, the same principle—shared knowledge and teamwork among physicists, system architects, and designers—led to breakthrough products.

Awards and Looking Ahead

Hagiwara recently received the Global High Tech Award in Armenia, which he sees not just as a recognition of past achievements but as a call to action. For him, it’s a reminder to inspire the next generation of engineers. He sees promise in ongoing research into gallium oxide at universities such as Kyoto, and hopes that young specialists will create technologies that truly serve humanity. The award reminds him to remain active, to share his experience, and to keep dreaming of new horizons.