Back in 2021, TSMC founder Morris Chang expressed doubts about then-newly appointed Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger's ability to effectively lead a turnaround at the company. Chang's prediction seems prescient given Gelsinger's recent departure.
Gelsinger took the helm at Intel with ambitious plans to reclaim process technology leadership and establish a competitive contract manufacturing division, directly challenging TSMC's dominance. He pointed to geopolitical risks associated with TSMC's Taiwan-based facilities and emphasized the need for a more resilient supply chain. These remarks drew responses from TSMC's former chairman, Mark Liu, and founder Morris Chang.
While Liu urged against speaking negatively about competitors, Chang advised Gelsinger to focus on TSMC's weaknesses. He also recalled being impressed by Gelsinger in a previous meeting but expressed surprise at his recent comments. Chang attributed Gelsinger's statements to the need to secure government subsidies, referencing the billions Intel received under the CHIPS Act.
Crucially, Chang questioned Gelsinger's capacity to execute his ambitious plans, given Intel's mandatory retirement age of 65 and the significant challenges facing the company. Gelsinger was 60 at the time, leaving him limited time to achieve a turnaround. His tenure was marked by high inflation, rising interest rates, a declining PC market, and fierce competition from NVIDIA in the AI sector.
