Intel to Slash Workforce by 15,000 in Strategic Overhaul

In a dramatic pivot, Intel has announced a significant reduction in its workforce, shedding 15,000 jobs, amounting to over 15% of its current employees.

In a memo dispatched to employees on Thursday, the tech giant disclosed this substantial workforce cut as part of a broader strategy to reduce expenditures by $10 billion by 2025. This decision follows a disappointing second-quarter earnings report, underscoring the urgent need for cost-cutting measures.

"Our revenues have not grown as expected – and we’ve yet to fully benefit from powerful trends, like AI," CEO Pat Gelsinger stated in the memo. He emphasized that the company's expenses are rising while profit margins are narrowing, necessitating more drastic actions, especially amid a challenging financial forecast for the latter half of 2024.

Intel's struggle to capitalize on the AI boom has been notable, particularly when contrasted with competitors like Nvidia, which have thrived in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Despite pioneering the CPU market around 25 years ago, Intel has since lagged in adapting to newer technological trends, including the rise of smartphones and artificial intelligence.

Gelsinger pointed out a stark $24 billion decline in annual revenues from 2020 to 2023, even as the workforce grew by 10% during the same period. This is in sharp contrast to other semiconductor companies that have seen their revenues and market valuations soar amid the AI surge.

For the second quarter of the current year, Intel reported a 1% drop in revenue compared to the same period last year, attributing the decline to gross margin challenges with its AI-based PC products. In response to the financial strain, the company will also suspend its shareholder dividend starting in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Further complicating the financial outlook, Intel anticipates "more challenging" trends in the latter half of the year than previously forecasted. In addition to the layoffs, Intel will implement a "voluntary departure" program for employees next week and introduce an enhanced retirement package for eligible employees as part of its restructuring efforts.

This latest strategic shift underscores the profound impact that corporate decisions can have on countless lives, marking a significant moment in Intel's storied history as it navigates through turbulent financial waters.