The CEO of Arm's Opinion on Intel's Fiasco.
A former colleague and rival of Intel believes that getting out of the complicated situation it is in could be a daunting task.
Rene Haas, CEO of Arm, has a unique perspective on the tech industry. The chip designs from his company are present in most of the devices we use daily, from smartphones to cars. The valuation of the SoftBank-backed company approaches $150 billion, significantly surpassing Intel.
Recently, it was reported that Intel's CEO, Pat Gelsinger, has "stepped back," and the company is considering options for a potential spin-off or complete sale. This led to an interest in Haas's opinion on the situation of his former competitor. Reports suggested he had approached Intel to acquire a substantial portion of the company before Gelsinger's departure. At the same time, there are rumors that Arm is considering expanding into the manufacturing of its own chips, in addition to just licensing its designs.
In an exclusive interview, Haas shared his views on Intel's situation, expressing his sadness at what is happening. He acknowledged that Intel is a major power in innovation but emphasized the need for reinvention in the tech industry, noting that many successful companies have failed to adapt. He indicates that Intel's biggest dilemma is disassociating being a vertically integrated company from being a fabless firm. He believes that the strategy adopted by Gelsinger in 2021 was long-term and that the new CEO will have to make fundamental decisions.
Referring to the rumors about Arm and its own artificial intelligence chips, Haas explained that understanding the relationship between hardware and software is crucial for the future of computing. He assured that building their own chips could give them a better perspective on the necessary integrations, which would enhance their capacity for innovation.
He also discussed the pending lawsuit between Arm and Qualcomm, scheduled for December 16, and the uncertainty this generates among investors and partners. Despite the challenges, the principles that led Arm to sue Qualcomm remain the same.
Haas commented on Sam Altman's prediction that artificial general intelligence (AGI) will materialize in 2025, stating that while he has his own definition of AGI, what truly concerns him is the moment when AI agents can think, reason, and invent.
On another note, Haas praised David Sacks for being appointed AI and cryptocurrency advisor to president-elect Donald Trump, highlighting the importance of having technological representation in political decisions.
In the realm of Samsung, significant changes in the company's leadership occurred, including new appointments following the departure of North America's CEO, KS Choi, a move expected due to the ongoing restructuring the company has been implementing.
Finally, during the DealBook Summit, Jeff Bezos gave his first public interview in years, expressing renewed interest in AI and highlighting Amazon's recent initiatives in the field, including the launch of the Nova AI model family, showcasing how the tech sector continues to evolve rapidly.
