Craig Barrett

Craig Barrett
Born	Template:Birth year and age
Nationality	American
Occupation	Business executive
Known for	Former CEO and Chairman of Intel Corporation

Craig R. Barrett (born 1939) is an American business executive who served as the Chief Executive Officer and later Chairman of the Board of Intel Corporation, one of the world's largest semiconductor companies. Barrett's tenure at Intel spanned more than three decades, during which he rose from a technical role in the company's manufacturing operations to the highest levels of corporate leadership. He played a central role in scaling Intel's manufacturing capabilities during a period of rapid growth in the global semiconductor industry. Following his retirement from Intel's board, Barrett has remained an influential voice on matters related to the American semiconductor industry, education reform, and technology policy. In August 2025, Barrett attracted significant public attention when he outlined a detailed plan for rescuing Intel and preserving the United States' capacity for advanced chip manufacturing, arguing that Intel remained indispensable to American technological sovereignty and national security.

Career

Intel Corporation

Craig Barrett joined Intel Corporation during its formative years and over the course of more than three decades rose through the company's ranks. His background in materials science and manufacturing operations positioned him as a key figure in developing and scaling Intel's fabrication processes, which were central to the company's dominance in the microprocessor market. Barrett was instrumental in overseeing Intel's transition through multiple generations of semiconductor manufacturing technology, helping the company maintain its position at the leading edge of chip fabrication.

Barrett eventually ascended to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Intel, succeeding the company's previous leadership. As CEO, he oversaw Intel during a period of intense competition in the semiconductor industry, navigating challenges including the rise of rival chipmakers, the expansion of global manufacturing capacity, and the increasing complexity and cost of developing new chip fabrication processes. He later served as Chairman of Intel's Board of Directors before retiring from the company.

Post-Intel Advocacy and Industry Commentary

Following his retirement from Intel, Barrett continued to be active in discussions about the American semiconductor industry, technology education, and global competitiveness. He has spoken publicly on numerous occasions about the strategic importance of domestic chip manufacturing to United States national security and economic interests.

In August 2025, Barrett emerged as a prominent voice in the debate over Intel's future and the broader state of American advanced chip manufacturing. In an exclusive report published by Fortune on August 10, 2025, Barrett outlined a detailed plan for what he described as saving Intel and America's advanced chip manufacturing capability. According to the report, Barrett argued that Intel would need a cash infusion of roughly $40 billion to remain at the leading edge of chip manufacturing. The proposal attracted widespread media attention and was covered by multiple technology and financial news outlets.

Barrett's plan was described as a 10-point proposal for rescuing the embattled chipmaker. In the plan, Barrett issued what was characterized as a stark warning: the United States could not afford to let Intel fail. He argued that preserving Intel's manufacturing capabilities was essential to the country's ability to produce advanced semiconductors domestically, particularly in the context of growing geopolitical tensions and concerns about reliance on foreign chip fabrication, most notably from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

According to reporting by Wccftech, Barrett took what was described as a "rather aggressive stance" toward recent rumors and reports about Intel, asserting that only Intel — not TSMC — could save the U.S. chip industry. Barrett reportedly advised the U.S. administration to encourage or compel major technology companies to invest in Intel's chip manufacturing capacity, framing the issue as one of national importance rather than purely a corporate concern.

TrendForce reported that Barrett urged Intel's major customers to collectively provide approximately $40 billion to rescue the company. In the same commentary, Barrett was reported to have criticized delays in Intel's 14A process node, characterizing the delay as "a joke." The comments underscored Barrett's view that Intel's manufacturing roadmap had fallen behind schedule and that urgent intervention was needed to prevent further erosion of the company's competitive position.

Barrett's 2025 intervention was notable for its directness and specificity. Rather than offering general commentary, he presented a structured plan that addressed financing, government policy, customer relationships, and technology development timelines. His argument that the United States "needs" Intel framed the company's struggles not merely as a business problem but as a matter of national strategic importance, linking Intel's fate to the broader question of whether the U.S. could maintain an independent advanced semiconductor manufacturing capability.

The proposal came at a time when Intel was facing significant financial and competitive pressures. The company had been losing market share to rivals in both the processor and foundry businesses, and its stock price had come under sustained pressure. Barrett's call for a $40 billion customer-funded infusion represented one of the most ambitious rescue proposals put forward by a former Intel executive and reflected the scale of investment Barrett believed was necessary to keep Intel at the forefront of chip manufacturing technology.

Views on U.S. Semiconductor Policy

Barrett's 2025 commentary reflected longstanding themes in his public advocacy. Throughout his post-Intel career, he has argued that the United States must maintain domestic semiconductor manufacturing capability for reasons of national security, supply chain resilience, and economic competitiveness. His 2025 statements specifically addressed the geopolitical dimension of the semiconductor industry, contending that reliance on TSMC and other foreign manufacturers created unacceptable vulnerabilities for the United States.

Barrett's position that the U.S. government should take an active role in supporting Intel's manufacturing operations aligned with broader policy trends, including the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, which allocated federal funding to support domestic semiconductor manufacturing. However, Barrett's 2025 proposal went further, calling for direct investment from Intel's major technology company customers in addition to government support.

His criticism of delays in Intel's process technology development, particularly the 14A node, reflected his background in manufacturing operations and his understanding of the technical challenges involved in advancing chip fabrication technology. Barrett's characterization of the delay as "a joke" was interpreted by industry observers as an expression of frustration with the pace of Intel's technology development under its more recent leadership.

Legacy

Craig Barrett's career at Intel placed him at the center of one of the most consequential companies in the history of the technology industry. His role in building and scaling Intel's manufacturing operations contributed to the company's ability to produce successive generations of increasingly powerful microprocessors, which in turn fueled the growth of the personal computer industry and the broader digital economy.

Barrett's post-retirement advocacy has positioned him as one of the most prominent voices calling for the preservation of American semiconductor manufacturing capability. His 2025 intervention, in which he outlined a 10-point plan and called for a $40 billion customer investment in Intel, represented a significant moment in the ongoing public debate over the future of the U.S. chip industry.

His argument that Intel is uniquely positioned to serve as the foundation of American advanced chip manufacturing — and that no foreign company, including TSMC, can substitute for Intel in this role — has been a recurring theme in his public statements. Whether or not his specific proposals are adopted, Barrett's advocacy has contributed to a broader public conversation about the strategic importance of semiconductor manufacturing and the role of government and industry in maintaining technological competitiveness.