One of the big things here is that Intel and ARM processors are backwards-compatible with 32-bit instructions, even if they are 64-bit processors. Apple Silicon on the other hand is not, which is why Apple completely dropped support before switching.
Newer ARM processors have also dropped 32-bit software support. You need emulation to run 32-bit apps. Apple silicon is based on ARM instruction set. There's no inherent reason it cannot support 32-bit software while ARM processors would.
