Intel Former CEO Pat Gelsinger Claims He Was Forced to Resign by Outside Influences, Says He Couldn’t Complete His Vision

Pat Gelsinger, the former CEO of Intel, has publicly addressed his resignation for the first time, revealing that it was not a choice he made willingly. During his tenure, Gelsinger was an influential figure within the semiconductor industry, advocating for transformative projects aimed at revitalizing Intel’s manufacturing strategy.

Pat Gelsinger Reflects on Unfinished Ambitions for Intel Foundry and IDM 2.0

Having served as CEO for over four years, Gelsinger was recognized for his unique vision, particularly his “IDM 2.0″initiative. This strategy sought to revolutionize Intel’s chip production by integrating both internal resources and external foundries. Originally pitched as a pathway for Intel Foundry to better compete with leading companies like TSMC by the next decade, it appears that Gelsinger’s time to implement these changes was cut short.

In a recent appearance at the Playground Global conference in Tokyo, Gelsinger candidly discussed the circumstances surrounding his departure. According to a report from PC Watch, he expressed his regret over not being able to fulfill his plans, stating:

The decision to step down from Intel was an extremely difficult one. I wanted to finish what I started, but as you know, I was not given the opportunity.

– Intel’s ex-CEO

Gelsinger indicated that his resignation was the result of decisions made by a “third party, ”a term he used without disclosing specifics, likely due to ongoing obligations under a non-disclosure agreement. Speculations suggest that this “third party”refers to Intel’s board of directors. There appears to have been a disconnect between Gelsinger and the board regarding the future of Intel Foundry, which is critical to understanding the current transition in leadership.

Amidst Gelsinger’s struggles with the consumer business, the foundry segment suffered significant setbacks, impacting both financial performance and public perception. Despite the introduction of various nodes under the “5N4Y”strategy, many initiatives did not gain traction and were restricted to in-house usage. Although there were high expectations for the upcoming 18A process, Gelsinger will not be present to see it brought to market.

With Lip-Bu Tan now at the helm, Intel is undergoing a fundamental reshaping of its operations. This transformation includes substantial layoffs and an increased reliance on third-party foundries, signaling a shift in Intel’s strategic approach. The upcoming production of the 18A process will likely be the first major reveal of Gelsinger’s earlier efforts, showcasing what he had aimed to achieve during his leadership.

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