Golden Moore: Moore's Law Is Not Enough—We Need More Than Moore

Once the cornerstone of innovation in the semiconductor industry, Intel faces an unprecedented challenge: Moore's Law, the guiding principle that has defined its trajectory for decades, is no longer sufficient to guarantee its success. Gordon Moore's vision—predicting the doubling of transistors on a chip every two years—revolutionised computing and drove the exponential growth of technology. However, as Intel confronts mounting market pressures and technological disruptions, it is clear that the company must embrace new paradigms to thrive in the evolving landscape.

Beyond Moore's Law: Why It is No Longer Enough

Moore's Law has long been the foundation of Intel's success, enabling the company to deliver faster, more efficient chips at a predictable pace. However, with the physical limits of the silicon-based technology approach, the incremental improvements that Moore's Law promises are no longer sufficient to maintain a competitive edge. The rise of new architectures, such as GPUs, TPUs, and hybrid AI processors like Intel's Core Ultra chips, demands a shift in thinking beyond traditional x86 CPUs.

The rapid evolution of the semiconductor ecosystem compounds Intel's struggles. Competitors like NVIDIA, TSMC, and AMD have embraced specialised solutions and collaborative approaches, allowing them to outpace Intel in key markets. Meanwhile, the industry's focus has shifted from raw computational power to energy efficiency, scalability, and versatility—where Intel has struggled to adapt.

Lessons from a Kodak Moment

Intel's predicament echoes the cautionary tale of Kodak, a company that once dominated its industry but faltered by failing to adapt to disruptive innovation. Like Kodak, Intel has the resources, talent, and legacy to thrive, but it must rethink its approach to remain relevant. A rigid adherence to old paradigms can render even the most established giants obsolete in an era of rapid technological change.

Insights from the Market: Seeking Alpha's Perspective

Recent analysis highlights Intel's ongoing struggles in its core markets. According to Seeking Alpha, the company's Client Computing Group (CCG) generates over half of its revenue and has been steadily losing market share. Q3 2024 marked Intel's worst quarterly performance in the desktop x86 CPU market since 2016. Meanwhile, competitors like AMD and NVIDIA have capitalised on emerging opportunities, particularly in AI and accelerated computing (Cavenagh Research, 2025).

While promising, Intel's foundry strategy is a long-term and expensive endeavour. The company estimates it will require $50 billion in investments over the next five years to upgrade fabs, acquire equipment, and address technological shortcomings. Even with support from initiatives like the CHIPS Act, Intel faces an uphill battle to rebuild customer trust and compete with TSMC and Samsung (Cavenagh Research, 2025).

Core Ultra AI Chips: A Step Towards the Future

Intel's recent expansion of its Core Ultra AI chip lineup demonstrates its commitment to integrating AI capabilities directly into its processors. These chips, featuring embedded Neural Processing Units (NPUs), are designed to accelerate AI workloads and enhance consumer and enterprise computing experiences. For example, the Core Ultra 200HX series delivers up to 13 trillion operations per second (TOPS), showcasing Intel's ability to innovate in AI hardware (Techtarget, 2025).

While this development positions Intel to compete against AMD's Ryzen AI series and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series, it also underscores the urgency of sustaining Intel's momentum. AI-driven applications represent a critical growth area, and Intel must continue to push the boundaries of performance and efficiency to stay ahead.

The Need for Paradigm-Shifting Principles

To regain its position as a leader in the semiconductor industry, Intel must adopt a radically new approach. Here are the key principles that could guide its transformation:

1. Ecosystem Collaboration:?Intel must transition from its traditional vertical integration model to a more modular, ecosystem-driven approach. Partnering with companies like TSMC for manufacturing and leveraging open-source innovation could unlock new opportunities.
2. Embrace Specialised Architectures:?The future of computing lies in purpose-built processors, such as AI accelerators, GPUs, and hybrid architectures. Intel's Core Ultra AI chips mark an important step, but sustained investment and innovation are essential to compete with NVIDIA and AMD.
3. Innovation Culture:?Intel's engineering talent is unmatched, but the company must foster a culture that rewards risk-taking and bold ideas. It includes breaking free from rigid hierarchies and encouraging cross-functional collaboration.
4. Sustainability as a Core Value:?With the growing emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental impact, Intel must develop sustainable technologies. It not only aligns with market demands but also secures long-term viability.
5. Visionary Leadership:?Intel's next chapter requires a leader with the foresight and courage to navigate uncharted territory. Like Gordon Moore's groundbreaking insights, this leader must define a new vision that inspires the company and the industry.

Conclusion: More Than Moore's Law

Gordon Moore's legacy is undeniable, but Intel's future depends on its ability to think beyond Moore's Law. By embracing new paradigms, such as specialised architectures and AI-driven innovations, and committing to bold, transformative changes, Intel can re-establish itself as a leader in the semiconductor industry. The company's next significant breakthrough will not come from incremental progress but from reimagining what is possible and daring to pursue it.

References

Cavenagh Research. (2025). Intel expands Core Ultra AI chips amidst market competition.?Seeking Alpha. Retrieved from?https://seekingalpha.com

TechTarget. (2025). Intel expands Core Ultra AI chips amidst market competition.?TechTarget. Retrieved from?https://www.techtarget.com