Intel has appointed Alex Katouzian, a seasoned Qualcomm executive, to lead its newly formed Client Computing and Physical AI Group. Katouzian, who spent 25 years at Qualcomm overseeing mobile, compute, and extended reality businesses, brings extensive expertise in advanced chip design and AI applications. His new role as executive vice president and general manager at Intel will focus on merging the company’s traditional PC chip business with the emerging field of physical AI, which includes robotics, autonomous machines, and edge computing devices. This strategic move aims to better position Intel in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, particularly around devices requiring on-device AI processing for real-time, reliable operation.
Katouzian replaces Jim Johnson, a 42-year Intel veteran who will continue in a leadership role reporting to him. Intel’s leadership under CEO Lip-Bu Tan has emphasized recruiting top talent from rival chipmakers to drive innovation and competitive growth. This hire is part of Intel’s broader push to capitalize on AI’s impact across consumer and physical computing markets, strengthening its chip technology for AI-driven desktops as well as AI-powered autonomous and edge devices.
By integrating PC and physical AI under one division, Intel is signaling a focus on scalable AI systems spanning from traditional computing to complex real-world applications. Katouzian’s arrival highlights the company’s initiative to innovate at the intersection of AI, robotics, and computing hardware at a critical time of AI industry expansion.
