Intel’s discrete GPU ambitions — especially in enterprise AI — have often appeared reactive rather than part of a clear strategic vision. The company entered the market late, facing Nvidia’s dominant CUDA ecosystem and AMD’s aggressive push into AI GPUs.
“Tan’s background suggests he is unlikely to double down on discrete GPUs at all costs,” Singh said. “He understands that the real AI war is not just about GPUs, but about AI-first compute architectures. The companies that succeed in AI computing are those that embed AI capabilities across all their silicon, not just in a dedicated GPU line.”
Intel has already integrated AI acceleration into its CPUs, a strategy Singh sees as Tan’s likely focus. Rather than chasing Nvidia, Intel may embed AI directly into CPUs and other processors, providing enterprises a scalable AI solution without requiring a full GPU redesign.
Still, discrete GPUs are unlikely to vanish entirely. “Certain workloads will continue to demand dedicated AI processors, and Intel may still pursue this space,” Singh said. “But the difference under Tan will be an emphasis on AI computing as a whole, rather than a myopic race to compete with Nvidia in the GPU market alone.”
Intel’s broader AI investments reflect this diversified approach. “Gaudi, as an example, is not a GPU,” said Paquet. “It is an AI accelerator, not a general-purpose GPU. Intel must continue developing processor types that offer growth opportunities, particularly in AI. On the PC side, Intel has GPUs and NPUs in its portfolio to support AI workloads.”
What enterprise IT buyers can expect
Analysts largely agree that Intel’s server roadmap is set through 2025, with no immediate changes expected under Tan. Major realignments at the server and large-die product level require longer timelines, making short-term shifts unlikely.
