It’s been sixteen months since Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan took charge by introducing cost-slashing vision along with a cultural overhaul that sent shockwaves across the industry. In his first move, Tan wrote a letter to Intel’s 100,000-strong workforce on March 12, 2025 vowing to make Intel an “engineering-focused company” that listens to customers and delivers on promises. With CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s letter came the news of Intel layoffs that could shrink the already trimmed workforce even further. And so, today’s news of upcoming Intel layoffs in 2026 come as no surprise.
Intel is planning another round of job cuts, this time affecting its Data Center and AI Group. The semiconductor giant is yet to disclose how many employees will be impacted by the latest round of Intel layoffs.
“We knew the new ROCs were going to change how we work,” an Intel employee who wished to stay anonymous told The HR Digest. “We just didn’t think they were designed to replace us.”
Why are Intel layoffs happening again?
When CEO Lip-Bu Tan took over in March 2025, he implemented a turnaround strategy that included reducing Intel’s workforce by 15%. The subtext? A leaner, meaner Intel is on its way.
“As part of our broader strategy to become a more focused and efficient company, (the data center group) is aligning its organization to ensure it has the right roles and skills in place to position the business for long-term success,” Intel said in a written statement on Monday.
“We are committed to treating all impacted employees with respect and providing resources to support them through this transition,” Intel said.
The scale of Intel layoffs in 2026
The upcoming layoffs at Intel in 2026 may dwarf 2024’s reduction of 15,000 jobs and roughly 21,000 from 2025. This so-called continuation of trimming the fluff is once again, the “bloated middle management layer.” It’s similar to the wave of tech layoffs we have witnessed at Amazon and Meta.
The exact figures for these Intel job cuts in 2026 remain under wraps for now. Although the writing on the wall couldn’t be clearer. More job reductions are coming to Intel, and faster this time. The intent is to bring employees and managers closer together for faster decision making and to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks.
MANY whys of Intel job cuts in 2026
Intel is rolling out new automation systems in its Remote Operations Centers (ROCs) globally. These new systems are designed to handle monitoring and control tasks that were previously handled by Intel technicians. Along with middle management, we’ll see technicians as part of the next wave of Intel layoffs this year.
“We knew the new ROCs were going to change how we work,” an Intel employee who wished to stay anonymous told The HR Digest. “We just didn’t think they were designed to replace us.”
The semiconductor giant is also keen to shed its non-core ventures to focus on what it does best: client and data center computing. As part of the job cuts at Intel, the company is shutting down ancillary divisions, such as its automotive chip unit, and outsourcing various marketing functions to consulting giants like Accenture.
There’s also the question of division-specific realignment hanging in the air. Today’s layoffs news comes as Intel maintains that cuts are in specific, growing units and not due to poor performance. The company is keen to ensure that the Intel workforce matches the exact skills required to remain competitive in the near-future.
What’s your take on Lip-Bu Tan’s bold moves at Intel? Will layoffs and a culture shake-up spark a turnaround, or is it a gamble too far? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe to HR Digest for the latest on leadership shifts, workforce trends, and how they’re reshaping the C-suite. Don’t miss our next deep dive—sign up now!
