Intel's Chief Executive Officer, Lip-Bu Tan, has recently found himself at the center of a renewed controversy surrounding conflicts of interest. He stands accused of advocating for Intel's acquisition of several startups in which he has made personal investments. According to Reuters, Tan has actively lobbied Intel's board of directors to acquire companies that are backed by his venture capital firm, Walden Catalyst Ventures. These include AI firms such as Rivos and SambaNova. Tan contends that these acquisitions could significantly strengthen Intel's development of AI chips. However, this move has sparked concerns among external observers regarding potential conflicts of interest.

In response to these concerns, Intel has taken steps to adjust its decision-making processes. Acquisition decisions involving companies in which Tan has a financial stake will now be made by the Chief Financial Officer. Furthermore, Tan is prohibited from participating in decision-making meetings related to Intel's proprietary investment firms, ensuring a clearer separation of interests.