My first few weeks at Intel have been filled with connecting, listening and networking, both in EMEA and across our teams internationally. And while the conversations may have varied, the energy, optimism and commitment I’ve seen from those around me haven’t. It has been truly inspiring.
Only last week at Intel Vision, our latest event in the Intel ON series, we came together to discuss the “Evolution of the Digital Renaissance” in which tomorrow’s challenges are so complex, so interconnected and so critically dependent on leading-edge technologies and infrastructure. To meet these challenges, we need to undertake new ways to collaborate and partner across industries, borders and disciplines.
In my first 90 days in the role, there has been an extraordinary period of activity for the company. People usually focus on understanding organizational changes, but our focus has been to first set out a clear and successful strategy. We’ve made some significant announcements that will play a key role in EMEA’s digital future for years to come, but we’ve also had to react to the unthinkable — the conflict in Ukraine remains very much on our minds, and our thoughts continue to lie with our friends and colleagues affected by the ongoing crisis.
I'm often asked why I took this role, so I thought I’d use this post to share some of the things that have made my first 90 days such an exciting time.
1. Demand for Semiconductors
As the world continues to digitize at pace, silicon chips have never been higher up the agenda – not only because they are in short supply now, but also because the shift to digital everything has suddenly made the public acutely aware of their importance to the devices they’ve previously taken for granted.
Specifically, semiconductors played a crucial role in the planet’s pandemic response and recovery of the global economy, providing display, wireless connectivity, processing, storage, power management and a huge number of other vital functions to a wide array of essential products, life-saving equipment and critical infrastructure.
No other industry can currently claim to have such a ripple effect across the global economy and job market – but this brings with it a huge level of responsibility. We’ve never been more reliant on semiconductors to go about our daily lives, and that dependency will only grow as new technologies and use cases emerge.
2. We’re at a Tipping Point when It Comes to the Global Semiconductor Supply Chain
As we look for solutions to today’s supply chain challenges, it has become abundantly clear that despite being home to world-class universities and research institutes, Europe has been too reliant on the rest of the world for its semiconductor supply. European consumption accounts for around a third of the supply globally, but we only make around a tenth of the product – that needs to change urgently.
Our landmark EU investment, which will see Intel pour as much as 80 billion euros into leading-edge semiconductor research, design, manufacturing and industry partnerships over the next decade is set to drastically advance Europe’s position in the semiconductor sector and stimulate world-class innovation across the region.
Part of our IDM 2.0 strategy is an investment that Intel talks of as “once-in-a-generation.” And we get to experience its rollout from the very beginning!
3. We Have a Chance to Build EMEA’s Digital Future
Intel has a long heritage in EMEA: We’ve spent the past 50 years growing our presence here, but today we’re at the precipice of one of the most exciting times in the region’s manufacturing and technology history. As we look to diversify the global supply chain, our investments are about more than chips; they are about securing the region’s digital future.
As my interactions over the past three months have proved only too well, EMEA is one of the most diverse regions in the world. Spanning 115 nations, it boasts a talent pool that can drive groundbreaking innovation across manufacturing, R&D, coding and much more – but only with the right resources and nurturing. Companies like Intel need to continue to create jobs that offer opportunities for our diverse talent – funding research, developing exciting partnerships and expanding locations. A larger, more robust semiconductor ecosystem will be a magnet for thousands of additional engineers and technical workers – growing the pool of innovators and entrepreneurs to advance Europe’s green transition and digital future.
Looking ahead to the Next 90 Days and Beyond
It’s an exciting time to be part of a company making such an impact on the world around us. Today’s renaissance will lead us into tomorrow. As we progress at a fast pace to create world-changing technology, I hope to share a lot more with you in the months to come – but I’d also love to hear from you - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fransscheper/