Physical AI and the Power of Design with Shahid Ahmed

In this episode of Horizon Voices, recorded at the NTT DATA Horizon's Innovation Summit 2026, we sit down with Shahid Ahmed, Executive Managing Director for Edge Services and Global Head of New Ventures and Innovation at NTT DATA. Drawing on over 25 years of experience in digital transformation, Shahid provides a fascinating look at the "non-carpeted world" where AI moves beyond the desktop to interact with the physical reality of robots, machinery, and smart infrastructure.The conversation centers on the breakthrough of Physical AI—models built on mathematics and physics rather than just language—and how edge computing is enabling autonomous, real-time actions by eliminating the delay of the cloud. Shahid also offers a masterclass in scaling innovation, emphasizing that the key to moving beyond the experimental phase is a relentless focus on solving specific problems that impact the income statement and balance sheet.