Among the many scientific and technological achievements of the 20th century, no single invention has arguably influenced our lives as profoundly as transistors or semiconductors. Since the onset of the computer age in the 1960s, we have experienced a series of remarkable transformations such as the transition to personal computers and mobile age, and today, we stand on the cusp of another revolution: digital revolution through AI.

As a semiconductor industry leader as well as an engineer, I would like to share selected insights and lessons learned from almost half-century tenure in the semiconductor industry.

In the continuously evolving field of semiconductor integrated circuit design, embracing technology changes is crucial for staying relevant and competitive. This talk explores the importance of innovation, in spite of the constraints of the ever-advancing device, process technology and product specifications, from one designer’s perspective.

I found that being curious about “how the world worked” led me to interesting problems. Being bold (some would say being a little overconfident) enabled to work on these problems. And then having a crisis of confidence when I realized that I was in a little over my head, taught to carefully listen to others, and learn the new skills needed to successfully solve (well most of the time) the problem. While this cycle of constantly challenging oneself is demanding, I have found it incredibly rewarding. This talk will share some epiphanies I had learned during my career.