--- title: "Intel's AI Comeback: CEO Reveals Insatiable CPU Demand As Customers Bulk Up Orders" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/286895882.md" description: "Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan announced a significant increase in AI chip orders, with one customer aiming to triple its CPU forecast. The company is focusing on regaining data center leadership and enhancing its foundry business to compete with TSMC. Intel's 14A process is expected to reach production by 2029. Analysts maintain a Hold rating on the stock, with price targets ranging from $124 to $140. Intel shares were down 0.72% at $107.39 in premarket trading." datetime: "2026-05-19T10:27:49.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/286895882.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286895882.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/286895882.md) --- # Intel's AI Comeback: CEO Reveals Insatiable CPU Demand As Customers Bulk Up Orders **Intel Corp** (NASDAQ:INTC) CEO Lip-Bu Tan framed the company's turnaround around rebuilding data center leadership, winning foundry customers, and positioning Intel as a critical U.S. alternative to overseas chip manufacturing. ## Intel Targets Data Center Comeback Tan told CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday that Intel once led the data center market but lost that position after product and execution mistakes. He said he is simplifying Intel's roadmap, bringing engineering closer to customers, and rebuilding talent to restore competitiveness. Tan also said AI inference is increasing CPU demand as customers need more processors to manage orchestration, agents, and reinforcement learning. He noted that one customer wanted to triple its CPU forecast, but Intel needs several quarters to catch up. ## Google, SambaNova And Customers Shape Strategy Tan described **Alphabet Inc** (NASDAQ:GOOGL) **Google,** as an important partner and said Intel wants to work with "winners" by helping customers succeed. He also highlighted Intel's partnership with SambaNova, saying Intel's XPU, combined with SambaNova's data-flow architecture, can deliver better performance and lower power consumption. ## Foundry And TSMC Rivalry Drive Value Tan called Intel's foundry business a strategic national asset because more than 90% of advanced processors are made outside the U.S. He said Intel improved 18A yields and is seeing monthly progress of 7% to 8%, helping attract outside customer interest. Tan declined to name **Apple Inc** (NASDAQ:AAPL) but said multiple customers are working with Intel. Looking ahead, Tan said Intel's 14A process could reach risk production in 2028 and volume production in 2029, putting Intel on a timeline he believes can compete with **Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd** (NYSE:TSM). ## Earnings & Analyst Outlook Looking further out, the next major catalyst for the stock arrives with the July 23, 2026 (estimated) earnings report. - **EPS Estimate**: 19 cents (Up from Loss of 10 cents YoY) - **Revenue Estimate**: $14.40 Billion (Up from $12.86 Billion YoY) **Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions:** The stock carries a Hold rating with an average price target of $77.65. Recent analyst moves include: - **Citigroup**: Buy (Raises Target to $130.00) (May 18) - **Benchmark**: Buy (Raises Target to $140.00) (May 18) - **Mizuho**: Neutral (Raises Target to $124.00) (May 12) **INTC Price Action:** Intel shares were down 0.72% at $107.39 during premarket trading on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data. _Photo via Shutterstock_ ### Related Stocks - [INTC.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/INTC.US.md) - [INTW.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/INTW.US.md) - [GOOGL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GOOGL.US.md) - [AAPL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAPL.US.md) - [TSM.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TSM.US.md) - [C.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/C.US.md) - [MFG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MFG.US.md) - [8411.JP](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/8411.JP.md) - [GOOG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GOOG.US.md) - [C-R.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/C-R.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [Tiger Global’s $180M Intel bet fuels AI-era optimism](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286868190.md) - [Market Chatter: Intel Urges PC Makers to Adopt Advanced CPUs Amid Supply Crunch](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286955059.md) - [Why Is Intel Stock Falling Thursday?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286412615.md) - [As a New CPU Surge Takes Wall Street, Tiger Global Just Took a New Stake in Intel Stock](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286806428.md) - [Citi lifts Intel target to $130 on AI CPU boom](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286856766.md)