In a significant leadership shift, Intel Corporation has announced that CEO Lip-Bu Tan will personally oversee the company's artificial intelligence operations following the departure of its chief technology officer to ChatGPT creator OpenAI.
Executive Departure and Immediate Response
Intel confirmed on Monday, November 12, 2025 that Sachin Katti, who had been leading the company's AI efforts since a management reorganization in January, has left the chipmaker to join OpenAI. The departure marks another high-profile executive exit since Tan took over leadership in March.
Katti announced his career move on social media platform X, confirming his new position at the artificial intelligence research company. Intel responded with an official statement acknowledging his contributions while immediately outlining their new leadership structure for AI initiatives.
Leadership Reshuffle and Strategic Importance
Lip-Bu Tan will now directly lead both the AI and Advanced Technologies Groups, working closely with the existing teams to maintain momentum. This decision underscores the critical importance of artificial intelligence to Intel's future strategy despite the leadership change.
The company emphasized that "AI remains one of Intel's highest strategic priorities" and they remain "focused on executing our technology and product roadmap across emerging AI workloads." This commitment comes at a challenging time for the chipmaker as it attempts to strengthen its position in the competitive AI hardware market.
Industry Context and Competitive Challenges
Intel faces substantial challenges in the AI chip market, where Nvidia has established a stronghold in building large AI systems. While Intel's central processors are used in AI server systems, the company has struggled to develop a data center AI chip that can effectively compete with silicon designed by Nvidia and manufactured by Taiwan's TSMC.
The company has also encountered difficulties attracting major customers for its contract manufacturing business, adding pressure on Tan's turnaround efforts since he assumed leadership earlier this year.
Katti's journey at Intel spanned approximately four years, beginning in the networking group which he eventually led under former CEO Pat Gelsinger. His promotion to chief technology officer and chief AI officer came in April when Tan implemented a flatter leadership structure within the organization.
OpenAI President Greg Brockman welcomed Katti's appointment on X, noting he will be "designing and building our compute infrastructure, which will power our artificial general intelligence research and scale its applications to benefit everyone."
Under Tan's leadership, Intel has seen several executive changes including the elevation of Naga Chandrasekaran, who now has expanded responsibilities for working with external contract manufacturing customers. The company has also brought in external talent such as former Arm executive Kevork Kechichian to lead the data center unit.
