Intel

Intel Corporation is an American multinational semiconductor manufacturer and technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, that has been a defining force in computing since its founding in 1968. Founded by pioneering engineers Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore, Intel revolutionized the technology industry by introducing the world's first commercially available microprocessor, the Intel 4004, in 1971. This breakthrough innovation laid the foundation for modern computing, enabling everything from personal computers to data centers, and established Intel as the dominant player in processor technology for decades.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Intel's partnership with IBM and the widespread adoption of its x86 architecture in personal computers created an enduring competitive advantage. The company's processors powered the PC revolution, and by the 2000s, Intel had achieved peak market dominance with annual revenues reaching $77.87 billion in 2020 and a market capitalization that briefly touched $495 billion during the dot-com era. Intel's brand became synonymous with computing performance through its iconic 'Intel Inside' marketing campaign.

However, Intel has faced significant challenges in recent years as the semiconductor industry evolved. The company missed critical opportunities in mobile computing when it declined to make processors for Apple's iPhone in 2007, and it has struggled to maintain its manufacturing technology leadership as competitors like TSMC and Samsung advanced their chip fabrication processes. More recently, Intel passed on investing in OpenAI in 2018, missing the AI revolution that has propelled competitors like Nvidia to dominance in AI accelerators and data center GPUs.

Intel reported its first annual loss since 1986 in 2024, posting a staggering $19 billion loss, which led to dramatic organizational changes including CEO Pat Gelsinger's sudden retirement in December 2024. In March 2025, the company appointed Lip-Bu Tan, former CEO of Cadence Design Systems, as its new CEO to lead a comprehensive turnaround. Under Tan's leadership, Intel is undergoing aggressive restructuring, slashing costs, flattening management, refocusing on engineering excellence, and taking direct control of its AI strategy.

Despite these challenges, Intel remains a critical player in the semiconductor ecosystem with approximately 100,000+ employees globally, significant manufacturing capabilities, and strategic importance to Western governments concerned about chip supply chain security. The company secured $7.86 billion in CHIPS Act funding from the U.S. government, with the Trump administration taking a 9.9% equity stake in Intel in exchange for this funding. Intel continues to develop advanced products including the Xeon 6 processors, Gaudi 3 AI accelerators, and Lunar Lake chips for AI PCs, while working to restore its position as a technology leader and stabilize its foundry business. The company's success in this transformation will determine whether it can reclaim its status as the world's premier semiconductor manufacturer or whether it will continue to lose ground to more nimble competitors in an industry it once dominated.