➀ OpenROAD is an Open Road Automated Design project; ➁ Its mission is to streamline the traditional RTL-to-GDSII flow; ➂ It aims to improve accessibility, collaboration, and utilizes machine learning; ➃ Offers a comprehensive suite of tools and methodologies for hardware design.

➀ Alex P. James, Dean of Academics at Digital University Kerala, advocates for an open AI hardware ecosystem to democratize access to hardware design tools and IPs. ➁ He believes this openness will reduce barriers to entry for businesses and encourage innovation. ➂ The role of SMEs and startups is emphasized, as they can leverage existing designs and focus on system integration.