Intel Corp - INTC STOCK NEWS

Jagadish K. Mahendran has developed an AI-powered, voice-activated backpack for the visually impaired, enhancing navigation and obstacle perception. Utilizing Intel's technology, it detects traffic signs, obstacles, and changes in elevation. The device features a Luxonis OAK-D spatial AI camera for depth perception, significantly improving independent mobility. The system operates on a small computing unit with an eight-hour battery life, responding to voice commands via Bluetooth earphones. It addresses the needs of the 285 million visually impaired globally, filling gaps in existing navigation solutions.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced the company's expansion in semiconductor manufacturing with plans for two new factories at its Ocotillo campus in Chandler, Arizona. The project involves a $20 billion investment, expected to generate over 3,000 permanent high-wage jobs and 15,000 local long-term jobs. This initiative supports Intel's increased production needs and aligns with their IDM 2.0 strategy. The construction activities are set to begin immediately, advancing the company’s commitment to innovation in semiconductor technology.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger unveiled the company’s future strategy, dubbed "IDM 2.0," during the "Intel Unleashed" webcast. This includes a $20 billion investment in two new factories in Arizona, reinforcing Intel's role in U.S. and European foundry capacity. Gelsinger emphasized the importance of Intel's in-house manufacturing capabilities, advancements in 7nm technology, and partnerships with third-party foundries. The strategy aims to create over 3,000 high-tech jobs and strengthen Intel's competitive edge in semiconductor manufacturing.

The 11th Gen Intel® Core™ S-series desktop processors, known as “Rocket Lake-S,” have been launched worldwide, led by the Intel Core i9-11900K. This processor reaches speeds of up to 5.3GHz, offering significant performance boosts for gaming and PC enthusiasts. Key improvements include a 19% increase in instructions per cycle, 50% better integrated graphics performance, and support for advanced AI workloads. Collaboration with over 200 game developers enhances gaming experiences. The release emphasizes superior tuning, stability, and rich media capabilities, marking a significant step forward in desktop processing technology.

Intel has released a study indicating that transparency and proactive security measures significantly influence purchasing decisions in technology. Conducted by Ponemon Institute with 1,875 respondents globally, the findings revealed that 73% prefer vendors who actively manage security vulnerabilities, while 76% value hardware-assisted security. The study highlighted vendor characteristics like transparency and ongoing security assurance as critical factors. Intel emphasizes integrating security throughout product development to build customer trust and improve software resilience.

Intel Corporation declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3475 per share, equating to $1.39 annually. This dividend is set to be paid on June 1, 2021, to stockholders recorded by May 7, 2021. The announcement reflects Intel's commitment to returning capital to shareholders while continuing to drive innovation in semiconductor technology.

Intel will participate in the Supply Chain Security Summit on March 10 to discuss the critical need for transparency and integrity in the digital supply chain. Corporate vice president Jackie Sturm and VP Tom Garrison will host a live discussion on cybersecurity benefits and preparedness in 2021. The event will be held from 8-8:45 a.m. PST, and registration is free. This summit brings together industry leaders to address challenges posed by supply chain attacks and explores strategies for enhancing cybersecurity across the product lifecycle.

Intel has signed an agreement with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop an accelerator for fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) as part of the DPRIVE program. This multiyear initiative aims to enhance data security by allowing computation on encrypted data, thereby minimizing cyber threats during processing. Intel plans to create an ASIC accelerator that could drastically improve processing speeds for FHE workloads. Microsoft will partner with Intel to facilitate the technology's commercial adoption, particularly in cloud services.

Intel is piloting its 3D Athlete Tracking (3DAT) technology in partnership with EXOS to enhance the training of aspiring professional athletes. The technology leverages AI to provide insights into athletes' velocity and biomechanics during training, enabling coaches to make precise adjustments for performance improvement. By using hands-free video analysis, 3DAT offers detailed performance metrics, empowering athletes to understand their movements better and optimize training strategies. Continued collaboration aims to further refine this technology for elite athletics.