Intel CEO gives glimpse into future

02.03.2005
Von Theo Boshoff

Intel Corp. CEO, Craig Barrett, in his keynote speech on the opening day of the Intel Developer Forum Conference in San Francisco, described the importance of innovation in today"s ICT platform arena.

His focus, still based on the Moore"s Law principle, devised 40 years ago, by Gordon Moore -- following the principle of doubling the number of transistors in the same silicon area every two years -- is on the platform arena and the opportunities with which the convergence of computing and communication is presenting organizations today.

"We have used Moore"s Law to drive the convergence of computing and communications," says Barrett. "Intel"s commitment to Moore"s Law now allows us to create integrated platforms that deliver a broad range of capabilities for individuals and organizations that use technology. To realize the full potential of these capabilities, continued innovation and industry cooperation will be more important than ever." As Intel works with the developer community, customers and others, it is building platforms that combine elements such as microprocessors, chipsets, communications silicon, software and other technologies. Designed from the ground up to work as a unit, platforms provide consumers and business with new ways to use technology to meet emerging requirements.

Barrett also says that Intel believes that innovation drives technology and that in turn R&D drives innovation. He notes: "R&D is critical in today"s ICT environment and should be seen as a long-term investment. Innovators are those people who are successful in the long term." In terms of organizational growth for companies across the ICT environment, he says that they should be reminded that "innovation is a continued investment" and should not be overlooked.

Barrett did not expand much about the company"s current offerings, but gave a glimpse of the company"s future plans in the area of integrated platforms, with convergence again at the center of attention and mobility as a key area for the company. He says: "In order to meet evolving end-user requirements for integrated platforms, the additional processing capabilities of multicore technology for multiuser and multitasking activities will be needed. Multicore technology represents a tremendous opportunity for the developer community. It provides the foundation for almost limitless innovation and creativity in addressing the changing ways in which people want to use computing and communications devices."

During his remarks, Barrett also highlighted Intel I/O Acceleration Technology as a new capability which the company plans to build into future server platforms. The technology is designed to improve communication between networked servers and applications for handling the overwhelming demands of applications, such as Web commerce, messaging, storage and server clustering. "Innovation happens at many levels," says Barrett. "We will continue to innovate at the transistor and individual chip level, but now our job is to work with the extended ecosystem of developers, software designers, systems engineers, service providers and others to innovate at the platform level."

Barrett, apart from highlighting the importance of education, also highlighted the important role that governments play in standardization and policy development to support the industry. "However, for innovation to flourish, we need to lay the groundwork for it beyond what takes place inside company R&D laboratories. It is also why we seek to reinforce government policies that foster innovation and technology advancement. These are essential to continued progress and growth for our industry. Innovation is driving the global digital economy. By working together as an industry, and by advocating education and government policies that nurture innovation, there is no limit to what we can achieve," concludes Barrett.