Former Intel chief Pat Gelsinger: ‘I’ve been called here for a purpose’

[XYang2023]

Key Highlights from the Interview​

Gelsinger, now 64, opens up about his firing ("Did it hurt? Absolutely it hurt!"), his critiques of U.S. policy, and his bold new venture. Here's a breakdown:

• The Intel Exit and CHIPS Act Frustrations:
• Gelsinger led Intel's $100 billion+ bet on American chip fabs, fueled by the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. But he calls the law's rollout "hideous," citing bureaucratic delays, insufficient funding, and political infighting that slowed progress. Despite this, he remains optimistic about quantum computing's potential to "upend" the industry, predicting it could solve problems classical chips can't touch.
• New Role: Leading a "Christian AI" Platform:
• Undeterred, Gelsinger has taken the helm at a startup building an AI platform grounded in Christian principles. It's aimed at countering what he sees as the moral drift in Big Tech, emphasizing ethical AI that aligns with biblical values—like truth, justice, and human dignity. This isn't just a job; it's mission-driven, tying back to his purpose-driven ethos.
• Faith as the North Star:
• Religion has long shaped Gelsinger. A devout evangelical, he's authored books like Balancing Your Family, Faith, and Work and served on the boards of Christian organizations. In the interview, over a shared meal, he pauses to say grace and even probes the journalist: "Ultimately the best thing I can do for you Michael is: Do you have an eternity?" It's a glimpse into how faith propelled him from Intel employee #3 in the 1970s to CEO, and now beyond.

Why This Resonates Now​

With AI's explosive growth and geopolitical chip wars raging, Gelsinger's story feels timely. On X (formerly Twitter), the interview sparked quick shares from tech watchers and policy wonks, like AEI's James Pethokoukis highlighting the eternity line [post:7] and Asia tech analyst Paul Triolo noting the quantum angle [post:6]. It's a reminder that even in Silicon Valley's cutthroat arena, some leaders see their work as part of a larger calling.

Former Intel chief Pat Gelsinger: ‘I’ve been called here for a purpose’

The executive on the ‘hideous’ implementation of the 2022 Chips Act, his new role heading up a Christian AI platform — and why quantum could upend computing

www.ft.com

 

[XYang2023]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1994750412742955273

 

[XYang2023]

In the article, he never acknowledged the consequences of aggressive spending. He blamed the last-minute rollout of the CHIPS Act instead. He admitted that he hadn’t paid enough attention to AI—he wasn’t fully convinced at the time.

 

[Barnsley]

I will give this subject a literal "Jesus Christ"

 

[XYang2023]

If I read the article correctly, he tried to promote his religion within Intel, and Intel’s HR and the CEO at the time were not happy about it.

 

[siliconbruh999]

If I read the article correctly, he tried to promote his religion within Intel, and Intel’s HR and the CEO at the time were not happy about it.

I agree with HR/CEO in regards to this Intel is a Tech Company not a religion company they should be Neutral in this regard.

 

[tooLongInEDA]

Paywalled articles (everything in the FT is) make it hard to evaluate and discuss.

I did hear about this article and the more interesting part was Pat's claim that quantum computers would start taking serious compure share from GPUs and *in a 2 year timeframe*. Gobsmacked. Not convinced about the claim, but to say that the transition starts in 2 years feels very optimistic. Jensen was quoted as saying the transition started in around 20 years. You wonder if the last few years at Intel might have cured Pat's optimism bias. And then you read this. It's almost as if he struggles to separate what he wants to happen from what realistically will.

Pat was also reported as saying that in the last 5 years at Intel (up to his exit), not a single Intel product had come in on schedule. If true (and that's not all his fault it is is), there are some serious issues for LBT to deal with on the product side.

 

[dkr1986]

Paywalled articles (everything in the FT is) make it hard to evaluate and discuss.

Non Paywalled link to the article. https://archive.is/Eiedt

Yeah bringing religion into workplace is unacceptable especially the way it is described here.

I did hear about this article and the more interesting part was Pat's claim that quantum computers would start taking serious compure share from GPUs and *in a 2 year timeframe*.

He did not say that at all. He thinks Quantum computing can become mainstream in 2 years (he said 5 years in last year GTC - He also emphasized it would be silicon based). Separately he is saying, a quantum breakthrough could pop the AI bubble (which he think's won't pop for couple of years). He works with PsiQuantum through the Playground Global investment group now that he is part of. Probably being too optimistic as ever .

Pat was also reported as saying that in the last 5 years at Intel (up to his exit)

He is talking about the 5 years before he joined Intel. Since PG many products have launched on time (ignoring MTL & SPR of BS's era, CWF would have missed the launch window even if he stayed on).

 

[tooLongInEDA]

Non Paywalled link to the article. https://archive.is/Eiedt

Yeah bringing religion into workplace is unacceptable especially the way it is described here.
View attachment 3924

He did not say that at all. He thinks Quantum computing can become mainstream in 2 years (he said 5 years in last year GTC - He also emphasized it would be silicon based). Separately he is saying, a quantum breakthrough could pop the AI bubble (which he think's won't pop for couple of years). He works with PsiQuantum through the Playground Global investment group now that he is part of. Probably being too optimistic as ever .
View attachment 3922

He is talking about the 5 years before he joined Intel. Since PG many products have launched on time (ignoring MTL & SPR of BS's era, CWF would have missed the launch window even if he stayed on).
View attachment 3923

Thanks. Useful to read the article (though not convinced it should be reposted like that). And the correction about the late projects. Obviously, the question we don't have the answer to is whether any project came in on time on his watch. But it can't have been any worse than in the previous 5 years !

"Lunch with the FT" (every Saturday) is always an interesting column. And I actually find Pat hard to dislike as a person. Can't agree with everything he says, but he does seem authentic and straight and answers the questions honestly (as he says, he's not a politician !).

I do wonder now if his success at Intel came while there was someone above him to balance out the excessive optimism and when CEO there was no one there to do it. But, as so often, that would be a failing of the board not to cover the gap here. Perhaps with better support around him, he might have done better. But fair play to Pat for not seeking to blame anyone else, justified though that probably is.

 

[Xebec]

[too much to quote in reply] -

dkr1986 - The insight into Otellini's mindset explains the general decay of Intel technical execution (and technology strategy) starting with Otellini. He still gets my vote for being the #1 'pivot to failure' CEO . Thank you for sharing.

tooLongInEDA - Pat had Andy Grove as a mentor, and I'm sure that gave him air cover for behaviors outside the norm (i.e. excess optimism). If other leaders didn't like what Pat was saying/doing, they'd likely think twice knowing that "Andy was on his side". That would have granted Pat more leeway for "behaviors" than another leader without that kind of connection.

Re: Quantum Computing - is Quantum Computing, as a technology solution, aligned well to AI computing type demands?

 

[tomatoma]

In the article, he never acknowledged the consequences of aggressive spending. He blamed the last-minute rollout of the CHIPS Act instead. He admitted that he hadn’t paid enough attention to AI—he wasn’t fully convinced at the time.

I agree with Gelsinger's talk about the CHIPS Act.