Last week, I attended Intel’s Vision conference at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas. While the venue had its challenges, the event content was strong, offering a glimpse of an empowered Intel charting a bold new course. The company, now led by new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, is tackling long-standing issues, including revitalizing the CTO’s office, empowering marketing leadership, fixing marketing development funds (MDF), and halting disruptive layoffs.
Through it all, Intel’s employees continue to impress. They’ve weathered past storms and remain the true unsung heroes of Intel’s ongoing resilience.
A New Leader, A New Vision
Intel Vision 2025 marked a turning point. The keynote by Lip-Bu Tan, former Intel board member and accomplished tech CEO, was both visionary and grounded. Tan brings a rare combination of institutional knowledge and executive experience, making him ideally suited to guide Intel through its next phase.
His message was clear: Intel is laser-focused on innovation, ecosystem partnerships, and reclaiming its edge in the semiconductor race.
AI at the Core
At the heart of Tan’s keynote was Intel’s “AI Everywhere” strategy — a comprehensive approach that positions AI as a foundational element of modern computing. Intel’s AI stack includes:
- AI-optimized hardware: From next-gen Gaudi 3 accelerators to AI-enhanced Xeon processors and the new Falcon Shores HPC accelerator.
- Open software platforms: A commitment to open-source tools and developer-friendly libraries.
- Ecosystem partnerships: Collaborations with software giants, cloud providers, and integrators to deliver complete, scalable AI solutions.
Embracing Chiplets
Tan also emphasized Intel’s shift toward chiplet architecture — a modular approach that replaces monolithic chip design with flexible, reusable components. Intel’s Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe) standard enables faster development, lower costs, and greater customization. Beyond internal use, Intel is promoting UCIe industry-wide, signaling a collaborative future for semiconductors.
Doubling Down on Manufacturing
Another pillar of Intel’s strategy is manufacturing leadership. With its IDM 2.0 model, Intel blends in-house fabrication, foundry services, and third-party partnerships to ensure supply chain resilience. Intel Foundry Services (IFS) is a key growth driver, targeting AI companies with advanced chipmaking capabilities.
Strategic Alliances: The Intel Multiplier
Tan stressed that Intel’s resurgence depends on partnerships. Collaborations with Microsoft, Google, AWS, and system builders like Dell and Lenovo help Intel deliver integrated solutions at scale. These alliances extend Intel’s reach and ensure its technology adapts to customer needs.
A Resurgent Intel
Lip-Bu Tan’s leadership is ushering in a new era for Intel. The Vision 2025 keynote wasn’t just about products — it was a confident assertion of Intel’s return to form. The roadmap is ambitious, but with the right leadership, Intel seems poised to reclaim its innovation lead.
Product of the Week: Linux — The Unsung AI Hero
Wrapping up, my Product of the Week is Linux — a platform I once disliked, but now deeply respect. In the early 2000s, I openly criticized Linux, which led to threats, personal attacks, and eventually, my resignation from Forrester. In hindsight, it was a necessary turning point.
Today, under the guidance of Jim Zemlin at The Linux Foundation, Linux has matured into the foundation of AI infrastructure. It powers most of the AI models we rely on, from cloud platforms to edge devices. Even Microsoft now fully embraces Linux.
As AI continues to evolve, Linux’s role becomes even more essential. Its flexibility, open-source nature, and collaborative ecosystem make it the perfect platform for scalable AI deployment. From Red Hat to OpenAI’s upcoming open-source models, Linux is the quiet engine behind the AI revolution.
In a world increasingly shaped by innovation, Linux proves that open collaboration fuels enduring progress — and Intel’s renewed embrace of that spirit may just be the key to its future success.