Intel To Launch Processors Thursday That Could Boost Its Position in AI Boom

Intel Corp. (INTC) is set to launch its latest processors designed for artificial intelligence (AI)-capable technology at a Thursday event that could boost the chipmaker's standing as a benefactor of the AI boom alongside competitors like Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD).

The chipmaker is to unveil new power-efficient and AI-optimized processors including the fifth-generation Xeon processor, which the company says can handle demanding AI workloads for data centers, as well as well as the Intel Core Ultra Processor, which can "deliver power-efficient AI acceleration and local inference on the PC."

The company could also disclose some of the customers that will use its new AI-capable processor at the "AI Everywhere" event. When Intel launched the previous generation of the Xeon processor at the start of 2023, it named key customers including Amazon.com Inc.'s (AMZN) AWS, Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Azure, Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOGL) Google Cloud, and Dell Inc. (DELL).

“AI represents a generational shift, giving rise to a new era of global expansion where computing is even more foundational to a better future for all," Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said at Intel's Innovation conference in September.

Intel's launch comes just a week after AMD held a similar event where it unveiled its latest AI chip. The company's shares jumped afterward.

The AI-centered event could help reinforce Intel's position as a company poised to gain from the surge in demand for AI tools and applications like Nvidia and AMD have.

"AI is an emerging opportunity" for Intel, as the company "is making good progress in leading edge foundry business, which offers significant long-term upside potential," Raymond James analysts wrote in a note Tuesday.

Intel reported that its foundry business, which manufactures chips for corporate and government clients, posted a 299% increase in revenue in the third quarter of 2023 compared with the same period last year, which, with the help of the recovering PC market, drove an earnings beat in October.

When asked if Nvidia would consider partnering with Intel's foundry business at a UBS event at the end of November, Nvidia Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Colette Kress said that the chipmaker has ongoing collaborations with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Samsung, but "would love a third [partnership]."

While Intel hasn't named all its foundry customers, the Raymond James analysts noted that they anticipate "NVDA is in the mix."

Intel shares gained 1.2% Wednesday ahead of the event, contributing to a more than 66% increase year-to-date.