Four essential reads on Gelsinger’s exit

The exit of Pat Gelsinger as CEO of Intel sparked a lot of debate and speculation. What prompted his removal by the board? Who will take his seat? And, most of all, how will Intel proceed? The Register and Fabricated Knowledge make the case that the once-unbeatable chip firm will be sold for parts, Tim Culpan points out that the terms of the US Chips Act are devastating for Intel’s design business, while Semianalysis thinks only the manufacturing arm is worth saving.

Mr. Intel leaving Intel is not a great sign... for Intel (The Register)

“It may be a mercy ‘retirement’ for Gelsinger. All of the paths forward for Intel will see the end of anything like the company he gave so much of his life to. Dismemberment into separate foundry and design companies, partnerships on fire sale terms with cash-rich competitors, or just selling off the bits, all seem to be more in keeping with the market zeitgeist.”

The death of Intel: when boards fail (Fabricated Knowledge)

“I would liken firing Pat in the final hour of 18A to quitting the final round of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Instead of seeing the long and painful process through, I think the board will let Intel die and be sold for parts. It’s the correct answer to maximize relatively short-term shareholder value, but it’s a nearsighted move that the Intel board specializes in.”

Gelsinger was it. Intel has no Plan B (Tim Culpan)

“Intel desperately needs an executive with actual experience to bring discipline, focus and results to chipmaking, because that’s the part that will make or break both design and foundry.”

Intel on the brink of death (Semianalysis)

“Intel Foundry is the future of Intel. It has massive strategic value to the United States and the Western Hemisphere. Leading-edge semiconductors are critical to consumer, industrial and military applications, yet the West has no ability to produce them at scale.”

Main picture credit: Intel