Intel must have high hopes for its burgeoning graphics division. CEO Pat Gelsinger has created a new group dedicated to graphics and performance computing, a part of Intel's business, to be led by Xe leader and architecture wunderkind Raja Koduri.

Koduri will be responsible for strengthening Intel's "focus on the key growth areas of high-performance computing and graphics." Intel has tasked AXG (Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group) to produce graphics chips for the integrated and discrete markets.

Hopefully, Intel Xe will not be a one-time experiment. Perhaps Intel is taking graphics a little more seriously than it has in the past.

Koduri's previous position was chief architect and GM of the Architecture Graphics Software Division. [But Koduri's new role and the creation of AXG are not the only major changes. As I said, Gelsinger is placing engineers in new spots throughout the company.

Sandra Rivera has become Senior VP and GM of the new Data Center and AI Group, a spin-out from the defunct Data Platform Group (DPG), and Nick McKeown has joined Intel in the newly formed Network Edge Group in the same role.

Greg Lavender will be Chief Technology Officer and Senior VP and GM of the new Software and Advanced Technology Group. In addition to his overall software responsibilities, Lavender will also assume responsibility for Intel Labs as CTO. Under his new leadership, we can expect to see some interesting new things coming out for us enthusiasts.

"Since rejoining Intel, I have been impressed by the depth of talent and amazing innovation throughout the company," Gelsinger said in a press release.

"With Sandra, Raja, Nick, and Greg bringing decades of technical expertise to the forefront of Intel's most important work, we will be able to increase focus and execution, accelerate innovation, and unleash the deep well of talent across the company.

Navin Shenoy, DPG's GM, is leaving the company after 26 years of service.

The news of a change in the company's structure comes as no great surprise, as we had hoped for a radical overhaul with Gelsinger's appointment. Gelsinger, a veteran and admired engineer at Intel, could be the man to re-energize Intel. Intel appears to be focusing on graphics, AI, and software to compete with AMD, Nvidia, Arm, and others.