Intel forecasted that demand for data center CPUs (Central Processing Units) worldwide will increase fivefold over the next several years due to the spread of AI (Artificial Intelligence). The company is negotiating CPU supply with domestic server manufacturers while also expanding cooperation with Korean companies in the medical, manufacturing and robotics fields.
Anil Nanduri, Vice President of Intel's Data Center Group, stated at a press briefing for the "Intel AI Summit Seoul 2026" held on the 12th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in response to questions about CPU demand outlooks following expanded investment in domestic AI data centers, that "as AI inference evolves into agentic AI, data centers are no longer just a matter of GPUs (Graphics Processing Units)."
He explained, "As the tasks executed by AI agents increase, CPUs are taking on an important role again," adding, "This is because more AI models are being run and there is an increase in tasks to be processed and calls to external programs."
He continued, "The more the interaction shifts from human-AI to machine-machine, the greater the roles of not only CPUs but also memory and networks become," revealing, "We expect data center CPU demand (on a global basis) to grow fivefold from current levels over the next few years, surpassing 200 billion dollars."
Bae Tae-won, President of Intel Korea, said, "Significant difficulties in CPU supply are also expected next year," adding, "Including domestic server companies participating in the K-AI Full Stack Alliance, which is officially launched today, we are closely consulting with headquarters on how to prioritize demand and supply together with the government."
Intel is expanding its scope of cooperation with Korean companies from data centers to medical devices, smart manufacturing and robotics. Dan Rodriguez, Vice President of Intel's Edge Computing Group, announced that the company is proceeding with cooperation with Samsung Medison to enhance the automation of an ultrasound diagnostic platform and utilize the built-in AI features of the Intel Core Ultra series. It is also cooperating with Daim Technologies on developing a reference architecture for realizing future autonomous factories.
In response to questions about the possibility of robotics cooperation with major domestic companies such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor and Doosan, Vice President Rodriguez answered, "We are cooperating in the fields of edge and physical AI not only with major Korean conglomerates but also with various startups." President Bae revealed, "While we cannot disclose company names, we are conducting extensive collaborations with domestic robotics companies as well."
As global semiconductor companies such as NVIDIA and AMD expand AI cooperation with the Korean government and businesses, Intel has stated that it will focus on actual business expansion rather than competing in announcing partnerships.
President Bae emphasized, "We do not compete over what announcements to make," adding, "What is important is working substantively with Korean partners and how to scale this up." He further added that through the K-AI Full Stack Alliance, the company will expand its scope of cooperation to include software and open architectures in addition to CPUs and GPUs.
in TECH
