Intel boots Gelsinger upstairs to become first CTO

Intel has appointed Pat Gelsinger as its first chief technology officer, and has created a new division to deal with the demands of convergence.

Gelsinger, 40, is promoted from his position as chief technology officer of the Intel Architecture group to report directly to chief executive Craig Barrett. He will head the new Corporate Technology Group, which includes all of Intel's research groups, including the Intel Architecture Labs and Intel Research, and which is aimed at ensuring consistency among Intel's emerging computing, communications and networking technologies.

The new group, announced late on Tuesday, is an effort to promote cross-fertilisation among different product lines. It will will focus on creating industry standards and specifications, while product development and business-specific research functions will remain with the individual groups, Intel said.

"The convergence of digital computing and communications requires the coordination of many of Intel's technology and research efforts at a high level," Barrett said in a statement.

Gelsinger joined Intel in 1979 and holds a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, along with six computing and communications patents.

Separately, Intel announced that Craig Kinnie, a key figure in creating the Intel Architecture Labs and a 26-year veteran of the company, will retire next month.

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