Intel Corporation, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is one of the world’s most iconic semiconductor companies, long known for its dominance in personal computing processors. Founded in 1968 by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore, Intel became synonymous with the rise of the PC industry through its x86 microprocessors. In the age of artificial intelligence, Intel has sought to reinvent itself as a key player in the global AI hardware race.
Intel’s strategy blends general-purpose CPUs, AI accelerators, and foundry services. Its Xeon processors remain central to data centers worldwide, while new product lines such as the Gaudi AI accelerators and Habana Labs technology are designed specifically for training and deploying machine learning models. These chips offer a more cost-efficient alternative to Nvidia’s GPUs, appealing to enterprises seeking diversified supply chains and lower costs.
The company is also investing heavily in foundry capacity through its Intel Foundry Services (IFS), positioning itself as a Western manufacturing hub for advanced semiconductors. This is both a commercial move and a geopolitical one, as the U.S. and Europe seek to reduce dependence on Asian chip manufacturing for critical AI hardware.
Intel’s role in AI extends into software and developer tools. Its oneAPI platform and AI optimization frameworks are designed to make it easier for developers to run machine learning workloads efficiently across CPUs, GPUs, and accelerators. Combined with acquisitions such as Habana Labs and partnerships with companies like Hugging Face, Intel aims to build a more complete AI ecosystem.
By 2025, Intel had reasserted itself as a critical part of the AI supply chain, not as the sole dominant player, but as a diversified alternative to Nvidia’s GPU-centric ecosystem. Under CEO Pat Gelsinger, the company continues to push forward with an ambition to power not just the next generation of personal computing, but the global infrastructure for artificial intelligence.
