Looking ahead, the company is developing Intel 14A as a foundry node specifically for external customers, but with an important caveat. “Going forward, our investment in Intel 14A will be based on confirmed customer commitments,” Tan wrote, reinforcing his “no blank checks” philosophy.

The CEO has also instituted new oversight procedures, writing that “every major chip design is reviewed and approved by me before tape-out. This discipline will improve our execution and reduce development costs.”

AI strategy refinement

Beyond manufacturing changes, Tan outlined plans to revitalize Intel’s traditional x86 processor business and refine its AI strategy. In client computing, Tan said, “Panther Lake is our top priority as it will reinforce our strength in notebooks across consumer and enterprise,” while the company works on Nova Lake for high-end desktop markets.