Intel: '50% of our revenue comes from our data-centric divisions'

Intel has been around since before the internet, and like any major technology company has had to keep reinventing itself moving from producing computer chipsets to a data centric company.

During his recent visit to Chile, BNamericas spoke to Denis Gaudreault, country manager of Intel Canada, about what the internet means to the company and how it has adapted.

BNamericas: What does the internet mean for Intel today and what areas of the economy and society will it impact most in the coming years?

Gaudreault: The internet has transformed every level of society from the information we access to the goods we buy, how we watch a movie, and communicate with friends and family.

New technologies like 5G will bring opportunities. We are seeing small organizations competing with large ones. But as a society we still have a long way to go to close the digital divide for everyone.

We need to learn faster and implement smarter internet governance. If it takes us today 10-15 years to adapt our laws to new technologies, how will we manage when technology is changing every 5-7 years?

BNamericas: How is the internet shaping Intel's strategy?

Gaudreault: Intel used to be known for making microprocessors for PCs. Today, pretty much 50% of our revenue comes from our data centric divisions (data centers, IoT, storage and networks). We started our migration to a data centric company a few years ago and now our strategy is focused on how our products and technologies will be used in things that create data (PCs, cars, factories, airplanes, hospitals etc.); how our products will be used to move that data on networks (5G, Silicon photonics, NFV etc); and how our products will be used to process data in the cloud (data centers, hybrid cloud, advanced analytics & AI).

BNamericas: Does Moore's law have a limit or will we continue to add capacity to chips indefinitely?

Gaudreault: Moore's Law is alive and well and we keep pushing the boundaries every day.

BNamericas: How is the internet driving digital transformation and how should companies adapt?

Gaudreault: Digital Transformation is challenging company business models and processes every day.

Organizations are seeing new competitors emerge from angles they could not have imagined before but at the same time opening opportunities in the most innovative areas.

The internet and emerging technologies like 5G, AI, VR/AR etc. will form an integral part of public or private organizations in the future.

Business leaders must quickly assess the potential impact these will have on their organizations, then put digital transformation at the center of their business strategies.

ICT can no longer be just a department but must be seen as a core function of any business. We recommend companies to build digital platforms based on hybrid cloud, advanced analytics and AI while providing for employees a workplace that leverages digital technologies.

BNamericas: Do you see the issue of net neutrality continuing to divide opinion for the foreseeable future or will we eventually come to an agreement about the best way to deal with it?

Gaudreault: This is a critical debate that industries and governments need to tackle with great care and make sure that whatever is decided allows us, as a society, to continue to move forward and narrow the digital divide.

BNamericas: Another issue is data privacy and the shared responsibility of both companies and users for that. How do you think we will deal with data protection?

Gaudreault: Like net neutrality, this is all relatively new. We will need to hold critical debates on these issues. In Europe we are starting to see a framework put in place (GDPR). These issues present great challenges but also great opportunities.

BNamericas: What about cyber security? Is connecting more things to the internet going to create more problems than we know how to deal with?

Gaudreault: As technology becomes more a part of our daily lives and inside our organizations this will expose us more to cyber security related issues.

Organizations understand better than before this new threat and are actively managing their security risk profiles. Organizations need to see their security like riding a bicycle – as long as you keep moving forward and looking ahead you will be fine, but if you look down or stop pedaling you will fall off.

BNamericas: Another challenge is how we manage addiction to the internet, especially among children, and cyber bullying. How will we manage these societal issues?

Gaudreault: These are challenges of a new order. Every day we see new ways to capitalize on technologies but also how to put safeguards in place for future generations. I am sure we will figure it out.