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Javier Pastor
Senior WriterComputer scientist turned tech journalist. I've written about almost everything related to technology, but I specialize in hardware, operating systems and cryptocurrencies. I like writing about tech so much that I do it both for Xataka and Incognitosis, my personal blog.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
A nuclear accident changed Lip-Bu Tan’s life. He was a gifted student who graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore with a bachelor’s degree in physics at 19. He then completed a master’s degree in nuclear engineering at MIT. This seemed to be his destined path. However, the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 sparked widespread pessimism about the future of nuclear power plants, leading to a decline in job opportunities in that field.
As a result, Tan decided to pursue a master’s degree in business administration at the University of San Francisco. This decision marked the beginning of his successful career. He created a venture capital fund called Walden, focusing on investments in the semiconductor and alternative energy industries.
Among his notable investments in the semiconductor sector was Annapurna Labs. Later acquired by Amazon, it became a crucial component in the development of chips for the company’s infrastructure. He also invested in Nuvia, which Qualcomm purchased in 2021.
In addition to his role as an investor, Tan was appointed to the board of semiconductor company Cadence Design Systems in 2004. He was named co-CEO in 2008 and eventually led the company solo from 2009 to 2021. Under his leadership, Cadence’s shares soared by 3,200% in value, and the company became a strategic partner for Apple.
Tan’s successful management led to his recognition as a regular board member across several companies. He serves on the boards of various academic institutions, as well as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Schneider Electric, and, notably, SoftBank.
Tan Didn’t Agree With Gelsinger, and That May Provide Insight Into the Future
More notable than his position at Softbank is his previous role at Intel. From 2022 to 2024, he served on the company’s board of directors. He left in August 2024 due to his disagreements with then-Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger.
According to Reuters, his departure was influenced by several factors. He expressed concern over Intel’s increasing headcount and criticized the company’s entrenched bureaucracy and risk aversion. Additionally, he harbored doubts regarding Intel’s AI strategy and was unable to advocate for the company to secure third-party manufacturing contracts.
These conflicts highlight the challenges Tan is likely to pose for Intel’s immediate future. Some analysts predictthat the new CEO will implement significant cost-cutting measures, which may result in layoffs.
A crucial question is whether Tan will advocate for spinning off the foundry unit from the processor design and development division. This approach mirrors what AMD successfully did in 2009. In fact, many experts have recommended this kind of split. Bloomberg suggests that Gelsinger’s plan to manufacture chips for other companies without separating the divisions will continue, but only time will tell if this strategy remains.
Another key issue is how Intel will establish itself as a leader in the AI chip sector. The company has promising products like Gaudi 3. However, it needs to find a way to make these appealing to major AI companies–a currently unmet challenge.
In a message to employees on Wednesday, Tan made it clear: “Under my leadership, Intel will be an engineering-focused company.” While he didn’t provide specific details about his immediate plans, his previous differences with Gelsinger indicate that his management approach will likely differ from that of his predecessor.
Tan has a notable advantage: He’s already well-known within Intel and the broader industry. His potential customers are familiar with him, especially since many have likely interacted with him during his time on Intel’s board. They might also know him from when he was the Cadence CEO, considering he collaborated with several tech and semiconductor companies.
Reuters recently reported that he also maintains good relationships with AMD CEO Lisa Su and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. It remains to be seen if these connections and his previous experience will enable Intel to navigate its biggest crisis in history.
Image | Intel
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