At Intel Vision 2025, CEO Lip-Bu Tan spoke to a broad tech audience in Las Vegas on Monday, outlining his strategy to restore Intel’s leadership in technology and manufacturing. He shared a clear plan centered on customers, engineering, and collaboration.
Tan Sets the Tone
Tan started the keynote stating, “Greatness, true greatness, your greatness… it’s here inside, inside all of us, inside you.” He thanked attendees and sponsors, expressing excitement to lead Intel during this critical time.
Reflecting on his background—from quantum physics and nuclear engineering to a 12-year tenure at Cadence Design, where he “took a contrarian and long-term view” on semiconductors—Tan noted his return to Intel was driven by affection and a desire to tackle its challenges. He acknowledged, “It has been a tough period for quite a long time for Intel.”
Focus on Feedback and Innovation
He urged customers to be “brutally honest” with feedback, vowing, “I will not be satisfied until we delight all of you.” Drawing from his basketball experience, he stressed teamwork and a winning culture. Tan highlighted AI’s transformative role in computing, content creation, and the physical world, pushing for a “software 2.0” mentality.
He emphasized better performance, efficiency, and lower total cost of ownership in client computing and data centers. Closing, he reaffirmed, “I’ll be here as long as the company needs,” asking for candid input to rebuild Intel together.
Key Takeaways
- Customer-Centric Approach: Tan pledged Intel will “listen closely” to meet customer and partner needs, prioritizing their feedback, even when critical.
- Engineering and Software Focus: He stressed a software-led design and AI-driven systems to create purpose-built silicon for specific workloads, like new architectures and critical workflows.
- Foundry Milestone: The Intel 18A process remains on track, nearing first external tape-outs, with high-volume production expected in the second half of 2025 using the Panther Lake client computing processor.
- Collaboration Emphasis: Tan underscored transforming Intel from a supplier to a partner, fostering a culture of unity and achievement through action, not just words.
- Global Chip Demand: Intel aims to address the surge in demand for advanced chips with a flexible, resilient, and secure supply chain.
Strengthening Intel’s Foundry Role
Tan noted Intel’s critical role in the global chip landscape, saying he’ll collaborate with the Intel Foundry team to refine its strategy, assess its current state, and identify growth opportunities. He emphasized trust, customer-specific design methodologies, and advancing process technologies as key priorities.
Speaking at the event, Lip-Bu Tan, CEO, Intel, said:
As CEO, my No. 1 priority has been spending time with customers. Under my leadership, Intel will be an engineering-focused organization. We will listen closely and act on your guidance. Most importantly, we will create products that solve your problems and drive your success.