Sachin Katti, Intel’s Chief Technology and Artificial Intelligence Officer, has exited the semiconductor titan just six months after assuming the role to join OpenAI, the ambitious AI research lab behind ChatGPT.
Katti’s appointment in April was one of the first major moves by Intel’s newly installed CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, who took the reins in March. His departure, announced via posts on X (formerly Twitter), was confirmed by OpenAI President Greg Brockman, who welcomed Katti to the team. Katti responded with enthusiasm, expressing his excitement to collaborate with Brockman, CEO Sam Altman, and others on building the computational backbone for artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Reflecting on his time at Intel, Katti described the past four years—during which he led initiatives in networking, edge computing, and AI—as a “privilege of a lifetime.” He extended gratitude to Tan, former CEO Pat Gelsinger, and networking lead Nick McKeown for their support and collaboration.
With Katti’s exit, Intel faces renewed scrutiny over its AI strategy. The company has lagged behind competitors like Nvidia and AMD in delivering cutting-edge AI accelerators. Tech giants such as Google and AWS have already developed proprietary AI chips, and Broadcom has emerged as a formidable player in custom AI hardware—so much so that OpenAI has tapped Broadcom to help build its own silicon.
Intel’s foundry ambitions also remain underwhelming in the AI space, with no major wins in securing high-profile AI customers. In response to the leadership gap, CEO Lip-Bu Tan will now personally oversee Intel’s AI initiatives.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is charging ahead with bold plans that include multi-billion-dollar investments in data centers, a consumer AI device, and the pursuit of AGI—technology that could surpass human cognitive abilities. Katti cited this mission as a key reason for his transition.
Despite its huge goals, OpenAI is navigating financial uncertainty, reportedly burning through billions each quarter. The organization is also undergoing a structural transformation from nonprofit to a more investor-friendly model. In recent weeks, Altman has publicly advocated for government support, framing OpenAI’s work as essential to national infrastructure.
This high-profile talent shift underscores the intensifying race to dominate the future of AI—and the growing divide between legacy chipmakers and agile AI-first innovators.
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