COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Intel’s newly appointed CEO delivered his first public presentation on Monday, and Intel’s Ohio One plant was not a priority.
Lip-Bu Tan gave the opening keynote speech Monday, the kickoff to its annual conference, Intel Vision 2025. Tan said he understands the massive undertaking he has before him, working to overcome financial concerns and lapses in Intel’s innovation that have caused them to lag behind competitors. In laying out his plans, Tan just barely addressed Intel Foundry — the faction of the company responsible for Intel’s $28 billion investment in New Albany — indicating it will not be his first priority.
Tan said he’s spent most of his 14 days as CEO reaching out to stakeholders and customers to see what needs fixed. He stressed the importance of “brutally honest” feedback in revitalizing the company, and took time to acknowledge the issues Intel’s faced.
He spoke of Intel Foundry toward the end of his 40 minute speech, going into very little detail. Tan said he’ll address Foundry development at another speaking event in April and did not discuss CHIPS Act funding.
Instead, he said he’s been in touch with President Donald Trump’s administration and looked forward to working closely with them to prioritize domestic semiconductor manufacturing. See previous coverage of Trump’s remarks about CHIPS Act funding and Intel in Ohio in the video player above.
Tan said he will not be satisfied until every customer is “delighted.” To achieve these goals, he said he is prioritizing innovation, attracting new talent, reforming Intel’s AI ventures and placing an emphasis on Intel Products. Intel Products is the other major faction of Intel and Tan said it will be the primary focus as Intel reinvents itself, indicating Foundry divisions will be secondary.
Tan leaned heavily into AI and data centers, where he said Intel had an opportunity to transform its market standing. He said this transformation will begin with an internal culture change where he will run the company as if it were a start-up. In doing so, he hopes to attract top engineering talent to help innovate Intel’s contributions.
Tan also discussed his vast expertise, including his two-year stint as an Intel board member. He said many people asked why he would take on such an enormous project so late into his career, but Tan said the decision was simple.
“I love this company,” Tan said. “It was very hard for me to watch this company struggle, and it is very hard for me to sit on the sideline knowing I could help turn this company around.”
Although that turnaround will include the Foundry, Intel has established projects like Ohio One as a secondary priority. Tan’s speech began with a disclaimer that the industry is fickle and his plans may not come to fruition, so time and Tan’s April speech are likely to give the clearest guidance toward Ohio’s future with Intel.