Is Intel’s Counterattack Beginning with Chen Liwu's Bold Restructuring?

TradingKey – To accelerate strategic restructuring and business transformation, Intel recently announced a series of executive appointments, forming an "A-team" for AI chip development, which the market interprets as an attempt to build a "semiconductor Avengers" team.

Since taking office three months ago, new CEO Chen Liwu has been pushing organizational reforms, emphasizing an engineering-driven and customer-centric approach. The recent personnel adjustments span key areas such as client relationships, AI chip R&D, and advanced technology architecture.

Currently, Intel faces dual pressures: delays in AI chip development and underutilized foundry capacity. Despite exceeding revenue expectations in Q1 2025 ($12.7 billion), the company reported an $800 million net loss and weak Q2 guidance, keeping its stock under pressure.

The new CEO, Chen Liwu, has strengthened the AI chip team by bringing in external experts like Jean-Didier Allegrucci (a 17-year veteran from Apple) as Vice President of AI SoC, and Shailendra Desai (former Google AI architect) to lead AI GPU development. These moves signal Intel’s formal challenge to NVIDIA’s AI dominance.

Intel has also restructured its foundry strategy, shifting from "internal focus" to "market-driven" operations. This talent overhaul not only enhances technical capabilities but also sends a clear message of pivoting toward agility and innovation.

However, market skepticism remains about the effectiveness of this transformation, with analysts warning that if Intel fails to mass-produce its 18A process node and attract external clients by 2025–2026, its technological influence and stock performance may face further pressure.