Intel Graphics Chief Departs: What Does That Mean for Arc GPU Line?

Raja Koduri, Intel’s EVP of Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics, is leaving the company to focus on a new startup. 

Koduri confirmed(Opens in a new window) his exit on Twitter after Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger thanked him(Opens in a new window) for his many contributions to the company during his role as chief architect and executive vice president.

Tweet(Opens in a new window)

The departure is a bit surprising since Intel originally hired Koduri—a former chief architect at AMD’s Radeon group—in 2017 to helm the company’s renewed push into discrete computer graphics. Last year, Intel finally launched its Arc GPU line for both laptops and desktops with plans to introduce next-generation products in the coming years. 

So Koduri is leaving Intel when the Arc graphics line remains a fledgling business that’s a league behind rivals Nvidia and AMD when it comes to gaming and attracting customers. On Twitter, Koduri didn’t explain why he decided to leave Intel. He merely noted: “Will be embarking on a new chapter in my life.”

That said, in December, Koduri posted(Opens in a new window) on Twitter about his health problems worsening during a recent business trip, which forced him to get surgery. In the same month, Intel also decided to separate(Opens in a new window) Koduri’s AXG graphics group into two corporate business units.

At the same time, Intel has faced some struggles in jumpstarting its push in discrete graphics. The company had to delay the arrival of its Arc desktop graphics cards several times, missing a chance to sell them during the great GPU shortage of 2021. Intel is also in the midst of cutting costs amid underperforming financials and low demand for PCs. And it has overhauled its enterprise GPU roadmap, which involved pushing back(Opens in a new window) its next product entry to 2025. 

The big question is how Koduri’s departure will affect Intel’s graphics business. For now, Intel declined to offer further comment, including who will replace him.

Koduri also didn’t elaborate on his new venture, only to say he plans on sharing more in the coming weeks. But according to Gelsinger, Koduri’s new startup will develop software involving “generative AI for gaming, media and entertainment.” So Koduri’s future work may revolve around using AI algorithms to create art and videos similar to OpenAI’s DALL-E 2 program, which requires extensive use of GPUs.