New Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan begins to lay out technology roadmap

He said that in the past, Intel designed hardware, then partners had to figure out developing the software to make it work. “The world has changed. You have to flip that around. Going forward, we will start with the problem, what you’re trying to solve, and the workloads you need to handle enable. Then we work backward from that, that require embrace the software 2.0 mentality, which means that having a software-first design,” said Tan.

Analysts in attendance liked what they heard, even if it was limited in specificity. “What was clear to me was Tan will be focused on eliminating distractions, investing in talent and making sure the company has a more compelling roadmap to compete in the AI data center race,” said Daniel Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group.

He said there was a cautious optimism evident at the event as the certainty of its new leadership provided a boost for its partners and employees. “However, there are still more questions than answers, and that should be expected, given his recent arrival and clear philosophy about what needs to come next, which in many ways starkly contrasted what came before,” said Newman.

Bob O’Donnell, president and chief analyst with TECHnalysis Research, said the strategy that Tan discussed at his keynote isn’t really much different than those described by his predecessor: build great products and a great foundry business.

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, because I believe they’re ultimately the right things for the company to pursue. The difference is that Lip-Bu seemed more willing to tackle the challenge of right-sizing Intel and mentioned cutting things that aren’t core to the business. The big unanswered question is, however, what does he consider those areas/products to be so, as always, the devil is in the details,” he said.