HEAD OF THE DAY
🇲🇾🇺🇸 Lip-Bu Tan
Source: By United States Department of Commerce - Howard Lutnick in X, Public Domain
🤝 Intel’s New Hope
Appointed CEO in March 2025, Malaysia-born Lip-Bu Tan took over the beleaguered chip giant and launched high-risk moves. First came a historic arrangement: the U.S. government takes a 10% stake. Then followed a pivotal $5 billion investment and a strategic partnership with rival Nvidia.
⚔️ What the deal unlocks
TSMC under pressure: If Nvidia shifts manufacturing steps to Intel, TSMC risks losing a marquee customer.
Headwinds for AMD & Broadcom: Intel CPUs could appear more often in Nvidia servers; high-speed chip-to-chip links may erode Broadcom’s role.
AI reset for Intel: From laggard to indispensable gear in the future AI infrastructure.
Tan’s playbook: From a weak bargaining position, secure maximum options—capital, partners, relevance in the AI stack.
🔥 Trial by fire: His tenure began under intense political pressure. Shortly after his appointment, he was publicly criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump. Since then, Intel has been under close scrutiny—but with fresh tailwinds.
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