Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced on Twitter today that Raja Koduri, the corporate’s present Chief Architect, is leaving the corporate to discovered a generative AI gaming software program startup. Koduri’s exit comes 5 years after he joined the corporate in November 2017 and on the heels of a restructuring of Intel’s AXG graphics unit that was introduced on the finish of final 12 months.
Koduri had assumed his place as chief of AXG final 12 months however stepped again to be a Chief Architect after the restructuring, returning him to a place he initially held when he arrived at Intel in 2017 after a five-year stint at AMD.
On a bittersweet observe, saying farewell to @Randhir_Intel and @RajaXg, each leaving Intel on the finish of March.March 21, 2023
“Thanks @RajaXg on your many contributions to Intel tech & architecture-especially w/high-performance graphics that helped deliver 3 new product strains to market in ‘22. Wishing you success as you create a brand new software program co. round generative AI for gaming, media & leisure,” Gelsinger posted on Twitter.
Raja Koduri responded, thanking Gelsinger and Intel for his time on the firm. Koduri additionally promised to share extra particulars about his latest journey within the coming weeks.
Thanks Pat and @intel for a lot of cherished reminiscences and unimaginable studying over the previous 5 years. Might be embarking on a brand new chapter in my life, doing a software program startup as famous under. May have extra to share in coming weeks. https://t.co/8DcnNdso3rMarch 21, 2023
Intel has already restructured the graphics unit, so the corporate tells us there aren’t any pending organizational adjustments on account of Koduri’s exit. Intel’s Jeff McVeigh will proceed to serve in his present position because the interim chief of the AXG staff as Intel searches for a everlasting chief.
Koduri joined Intel in the identical timeframe as fellow ex-AMD’er Jim Keller. In tandem with Keller and Murthy Renduchintala, Koduri helped design and align Intel’s silicon portfolio below a new six pillar technique that performed to the strengths of the corporate’s IP. Sadly, that initiative misplaced steam after Keller, after which Renduchintala left the corporate in 2020 within the wake of the delays across the firm’s 7nm course of node.
Koduri soldiered on as the top of the Structure, Software program, and Graphics group, ultimately receiving a promotion to the place of Government Vice President in April 2022.
Throughout his tenure, Koduri helmed the creation and launch of Intel’s Arc graphics playing cards and Ponte Vecchio GPUs. He was additionally accountable for growing Intel’s first Bitcoin-mining ‘Blockscale’ ASICs which are at the moment delivery. On the one hand, contemplating it was the primary main firm in 25 years to enter the house, Intel’s entry into the discrete GPU market has been largely profitable. Nonetheless, Intel’s long-awaited Ponte Vecchio arrived late, and the corporate just lately determined to axe its Rialto Bridge successor.
In the meantime, the Intel Arc graphics playing cards for the desktop PC additionally arrived late, placing them in a much less favorable place relative to competing AMD and Nvidia GPUs. Intel has steadily dropped pricing whereas bettering drivers and efficiency after the launch, efforts that may now keep it up in Koduri’s absence.
Koduri has accomplished a four-year stretch at Apple, two stints at AMD totaling roughly 13 years, and 5 and a half years at Intel. He’s now off to discovered a generative AI startup. We’ll be sure you have protection after we study extra particulars about his latest enterprise.
