Introduction
Intel Corporation, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Santa Clara, is a global semiconductor leader. Recently led by the newly appointed CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel generated USD 53.1 billion in revenue in 2024 but faced a net loss of USD 18.8 billion. With approximately 109,000 employees and USD 196.5 billion in assets, Intel is undertaking a bold transformation amid industry disruption.
History & Milestone
A founding force behind microprocessors (x86 architecture).
Key past leaders include Intel founders and later Pat Gelsinger, whose departure in December 2024 led to Lip-Bu Tan’s 2025 appointment.
Under Tan, Intel initiated major restructuring: automotive chip exit, ~24,000 layoffs, and strategic streamlining.
Product & Services
Processors: Intel® Core™, Xeon®, Atom®, vPro®
Graphics: Integrated (Intel Graphics Technology) and Intel® Arc™ discrete GPUs
Accelerators: AI chips (e.g., Gaudi®), FPGAs, and IPUs
IoT & Edge: Networking, memory, storage, RealSense vision systems
Business Model & Strategy
Intel designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductors across consumer, enterprise, data center, and AI markets. The company integrates product development with in-house foundry operations, now pivoting under Tan to refocus and recenter on core strengths.
Market Presence & Financials
Intel remains a leading global chipmaker, with significant assets and manufacturing footprint. Financial distress in 2024 calls for internal turnaround driven by cost-cutting and refocusing on data-center, foundry, and AI growth areas.
Leadership & Culture
Tan brings industry-leading turnaround credentials from Cadence. Intel’s management emphasizes faster decision-making, streamlined reporting, and cultural renewal under Tan’s engineering-first ethos.
Controversies & Challenges
Tan is under political pressure for his previous investments in Chinese firms, prompting national security concerns and calls for his resignation—though Intel reaffirmed its commitment to U.S. security.
Intel lags behind rivals like TSMC and Nvidia, fueling urgent restructuring.
Future Outlook
Tan’s strategy includes accelerating foundry readiness (e.g., 18A node), shedding non-core units, and rebuilding Intel’s competitive edge in data-centric and AI-centric chips.