Ahmad has been connecting the dots throughout his 20-year career. Advancements in technology have evolved so rapidly that it’s less likely for people to invent anything from scratch, he says, and he finds that great innovation comes from being able to step back and identify how seemingly unconnected things fit together.

Patience for groundbreaking ideas is diminishing, he thinks, as the market continues to demand products with ever-increasing features and functionality, lower power, faster speeds and smaller form factors. At the same time, reading too much into what you think the market needs can actually limit your ability to innovate, he says.

Well-known for his part in the invention of the multicarrier spread spectrum theory, which is now being used in many communication systems such as 4G and power-line communication, Ahmad is director of Kilby Labs and CTO for the company’s Analog business. He works closely with customers and universities that are challenging the status quo to deliver creative solutions that will make the world a better place.

When he’s not working at TI or teaching at UC Berkeley or Stanford, Ahmad spends his time studying history, biology and economics. Having a greater understanding of these areas inspires him to ensure TI isn’t just supplying semiconductor components but is offering solutions to some of the most challenging issues facing humanity.