Intel CTO exit to join OpenAI, CEO Tan takes over AI oversight
- ByStartupStory | November 11, 2025
Intel’s Chief Technology and Artificial Intelligence Officer Sachin Katti has departed the semiconductor giant to join OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, to help build out the compute infrastructure for artificial general intelligence (AGI). Katti, who was promoted to CTO and Chief AI Officer in April 2025 by Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, had led Intel’s AI and networking institutional sectors over the past four years.
In response to Katti’s exit, Intel announced that CEO Lip-Bu Tan will take direct responsibility for overseeing the company’s AI efforts, including the AI and Advanced Technologies Groups. Intel reaffirmed that artificial intelligence remains one of its highest strategic priorities and emphasized its commitment to executing its technology and product roadmap to address emerging AI workloads.
Katti expressed excitement about joining OpenAI and working closely with leaders such as Greg Brockman and Sam Altman to advance AGI infrastructure. OpenAI’s president confirmed Katti’s role, highlighting his expertise in designing and building compute infrastructure critical for scaling AGI research and applications.
Katti’s departure comes as Intel is undergoing a leadership reshuffle and strategic turnaround under Tan. The company faces stiff competition in AI chips from Nvidia, AMD, and cloud hyperscalers like Google and AWS, which build custom silicon. Intel is seeking to strengthen its AI hardware roadmap, recently unveiling a 160-GB data center GPU as part of its renewed annual release cadence.
This leadership transition marks continued volatility within Intel’s executive ranks but also highlights Tan’s intent to personally steer the company’s AI strategic initiatives amid a highly competitive environment.
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