Industry Trends & Future Outlook

Q: From your personal perspective, what do you see as the most important trends shaping the semiconductor industry over the next 5–10 years?

A: We’re entering a world that anticipates and automates through smart, connected robots that sense, think, and act autonomously – powered by semiconductors. Within this context, three major trends stand out:

Edge AI for Automotive and Industry: Critical for reducing latency and improving energy efficiency, this shift demands chips optimized for AI workloads rather than general-purpose processors. Energy-efficient AI chips will be essential as workloads grow, and sustainability will shape design choices—from low-power architectures to greener manufacturing processes.

Software-Defined Everything: Cars are becoming software-defined devices. Semiconductors are no longer just hardware; they’re platforms for software innovation, relying on updatable stacks running on powerful, secure chips. This trend extends to IoT and robotics, creating ecosystems that combine hardware, software, and connectivity.

Security as a Foundation: As devices grow smarter and more connected, security is non-negotiable. Chips must integrate robust security features from the ground up.

Q: How do you personally stay informed or adapt to changes in this evolving landscape?

A: I’m deeply curious and approach technology with a sense of playfulness. Also, listening has become a habit for me because I believe that personal exchange, open discussions, and collaboration across functions, roles, and disciplines are essential for innovation. Time and again, I’ve seen how someone’s experience can ignite ideas and spark creativity. So basically: the ongoing dialogue with people inside and outside NXP keeps me up to speed.

Technology & Innovation Strategy

Q: With rapid advances in semiconductor technologies and supporting innovations such as AI, 6G, and advanced chip design, how do you personally prioritize staying innovative?

A: Staying innovative is a top priority. I believe the saying ‘if you can dream it, you can build it’ holds true. That’s why I closely track trends and imagine the possibilities of technology—while staying flexible, adapting to change, and continuously reinventing myself to help build that future.

Q: Which emerging technologies do you find most exciting or potentially transformative for the industry?

A: See answer to question… “From your personal perspective, what do you see as the most important trends shaping the semiconductor industry over the next 5–10 years?”

Global Supply Chain & Market Challenges

Q: The semiconductor industry faces a complex global supply chain and various market challenges. From your experience, how do you think professionals can navigate these risks effectively?

A: The chip shortage taught us a painful lesson: resilience matters. To achieve that, we need to reduce ‘singularities’ in the idea-to-product supply chain. For true technology sovereignty, a strong research roadmap, development roadmap, and manufacturing roadmap are all essential. Like any enterprise risk, professionals should start with a deep understanding of the current landscape—this enables effective scenario planning and the identification of strategic opportunities.

Sustainability & Social Impact

Q: As the semiconductor sector grows, sustainability and ethical considerations are increasingly important. From your perspective, what practices or strategies are most effective for promoting environmental responsibility and social impact?

A: The most effective strategies combine ambitious climate goals, sustainable product design, and ethical supply chain practices. At NXP, this means reducing carbon emissions and water use, integrating energy-efficient architectures into products, sourcing minerals responsibly, and enforcing strong labor and human rights standards. Transparency and collaboration across the ecosystem ensure measurable progress and real impact.
Recently, AI ethics has become a top priority. We’ve taken a leading role in defining guidelines to ensure compliance with future ethical requirements—keeping our products relevant and trustworthy for customers.

Leadership Lessons & Personal Insights

Q: Looking back, what was the toughest professional decision you’ve made, and what did you learn from it?

A: A decision that is sometimes tough to sell is prioritizing long-term innovation over short-term gains. In a fast-moving industry, it’s tempting to chase immediate results, but I learned that sustainable success comes from investing in future technologies—even when the payoff isn’t immediate. That taught me the importance of resilience, trust in your vision, and surrounding yourself with teams who share that mindset.

Q: What advice would you give to individuals, startups, or entrepreneurs entering the semiconductor industry today?

A: Be curious, don’t wait for the perfect moment, and avoid overplanning. Try to be a thought leader and create followership—ultimately, success depends on how well others support your vision. You won’t get far without leveraging the power of the team.
The semiconductor industry moves fast, so flexibility and a willingness to learn are key. Have fun with technology—explore, experiment, and embrace collaboration. Build networks across disciplines because innovation often comes from unexpected connections. And most importantly, stay focused on solving real-world problems; that’s where the biggest opportunities lie.

Q: How do you personally see semiconductor technologies and innovations like AI shaping society in the coming years?

A: I’d like to reiterate what I highlighted earlier: Semiconductor technologies and AI will fundamentally reshape how we live and work. In an era of smart, connected systems—cars, homes, factories—that can sense, think, and act autonomously, AI will shift from the cloud to the edge, enabling real-time decisions in mobility, healthcare, and industrial automation. This means safer transportation, more efficient energy use, and smarter cities. At the same time, jobs will evolve toward tasks requiring creativity and oversight, while routine processes become automated. In short—and yes, I’m predicting a bright future—semiconductors and AI will create a world that anticipates and automates, improving safety, sustainability, and quality of life.