Intel’s head of data-center and artificial-intelligence operations is leaving the group to take the helm of European telecommunication group Nokia, the latest high-profile departure at the chip maker as it struggles to revamp its business.

After only a little more than a year of running Intel’s Data Center and AI group – which is probably about as much fun right now as falling down the

His sudden exit leaves another top job vacant at Intel as the chipmaker continues a prolonged search for a new CEO.

Justin Hotard, Intel’s head of data-center and AI operations, is leaving to head up Nokia. Shares of the telecom-gear maker rallied over 2% in Europe; U.S.-listed Intel shares edged higher premarket.

So chip stock Intel (INTC) just lost Justin Hotard to Nokia Oyj (NOK). This might seem like a blow to Intel’s operations, but investors have

Nokia Oyj will replace Chief Executive Officer Pekka Lundmark with Intel Corp.’s recently appointed head of artificial intelligence Justin Hotard in a surprise announcement as the network equipment maker works to exit a prolonged slump in orders from phone operators.

Intel reported its Q4 earnings after the bell on Thursday. Intel is effectively killing Falcon Shores, its next-generation GPU for high-performance computing and AI workloads. The move comes as Intel tries to correct course after a number of disappointing product launches and historic losses,

In an unexpected development, Nokia revealed a CEO transition plan for March 2025, which analysts interpret as a strategic pivot from networking equipment toward data centers and artificial intelligence.