Intel’s New CTO & AI Chief: Powering AI & Technology Growth

In the early days of his tenure, Intel’s Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan wastes no time making bold moves to realign the company’s focus on AI, technology innovation and manufacturing strength.

Just over a month into the job, Lip-Bu shakes up Intel’s leadership to accelerate change from the inside.

Central to his plans are a sharpened focus on chip production methods, a restructured AI strategy and a reformed leadership team, with an aim to energise Intel’s core technology offering.

Among the major steps is the appointment of a new Chief Technology and AI Officer, Sachin Katti, reinforcing Intel’s commitment to prioritising AI leadership at the highest level.

Lip-Bu Tan: A technology leader at the helm

Lip-Bu Tan’s return to Intel in March marked a pivotal moment for the company.

Having previously served on Intel’s board for two years before departing in August 2024, he now brings a renewed vision for strengthening Intel’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and AI chip development.

A recognised figure in the technology sector, Lip-Bu has more than 20 years of experience across semiconductors and software.

He replaces interim co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus, taking control at a time when Intel faces stiff competition.

At Cadence Design Systems, where he served as CEO from 2009 to 2021, Lip-Bu’s leadership style delivered results: revenue more than doubled, operating margins expanded and the company’s stock price soared by more than 3,200%.

Beyond Cadence, his career includes executive roles at HPE, board seats at Schneider Electric and Carnegie Mellon University and advisory work with the School of Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

His track record of technology leadership, customer-first innovation and building high-performance cultures resonates strongly with Intel’s board.

Frank D. Yeary, interim Executive Chair during the CEO search and now Independent Chair of the Board, says: “Lip-Bu is an exceptional leader whose technology industry expertise, deep relationships across the product and foundry ecosystems and proven track record of creating shareholder value is exactly what Intel needs in its next CEO.

“Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has earned a reputation as an innovator who puts customers at the heart of everything he does, delivers differentiated solutions to win in the market and builds high-performance cultures to achieve success.”

Lip-Bu outlines his excitement about the challenge ahead, saying: “I have tremendous respect and admiration for this iconic company and I see significant opportunities to remake our business in ways that serve our customers better and create value for our shareholders.

“Intel has a powerful and differentiated computing platform, a vast customer installed base and a robust manufacturing footprint that is getting stronger by the day as we rebuild our process technology roadmap."

Sachin Katti: leading Intel’s AI and technology future

The appointment of Sachin Katti as Chief Technology and AI Officer signals a strong commitment to placing AI leadership at the core of Intel’s future.

Sachin, a Professor at Stanford University, steps into the role following Greg Lavender’s retirement.

Previously Senior Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s Networking and Edge group, Sachin will now oversee a broader AI and technology portfolio.

A memo from Lip-Bu, seen by Reuters, details Sachin’s new responsibilities: "Expanding his responsibilities to include the role of chief technology and AI officer for the company."

The memo continues: "As part of this, he will lead our overall AI strategy and AI product roadmap, as well as Intel Labs and our relationships with the startup and developer ecosystems."

Having joined Intel in 2021 as CTO of the Network and Edge Group and promoted to SVP and GM in 2023, Sachin’s ascent reflects Intel’s urgent drive to reshape its AI capabilities and technology offering across its enterprise and consumer businesses.

Unlocking innovation with leadership 

The leadership reshuffle extends beyond Sachin’s appointment.

Lip-Bu’s memo also outlines a flattening of Intel’s leadership structure, aimed at making the technology giant more agile and innovation-driven.

Vice Presidents Rob Bruckner, Mike Hurley and Lisa Pearce, leading various technical groups, are now reporting directly to the CEO.

Intel’s data centre and AI chip group, as well as its personal-computer chip group, will additionally report straight to Lip-Bu.

This reorganisation is part of Lip-Bu’s plan to remove bureaucratic hurdles that have stifled innovation.

His memo acknowledges: “It’s clear to me that organisational complexity and bureaucratic processes have been slowly suffocating the culture of innovation we need to win.

“It takes too long to make decisions. New ideas are not given room or resources to incubate. Unnecessary silos lead to inefficient execution.”

He adds: “I want to roll up my sleeves with the engineering and product teams so I can learn what’s needed to strengthen our solutions. As Michelle and I drive this work, we plan to evolve and expand her role with more details to come in the future.”

By restructuring leadership, intensifying its focus on AI technology and simplifying processes, Intel under Lip-Bu Tan’s stewardship aims to reclaim its position as a leader in global semiconductor and AI innovation.

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