- 0-20%: Unlikely - Lacks credible sources
- 21-40%: Questionable - Some concerns remain
- 41-60%: Plausible - Reasonable evidence
- 61-80%: Probable - Strong evidence
- 81-100%: Highly Likely - Multiple reliable sources
50%
Plausible
TSMC's former SVP, known for his key role in driving the Taiwan giant's chip technologies, is reportedly being pursued to join Intel Foundry, which could be a significant hiring move for Team Blue.
Intel's Pursuit of TSMC's Former Executive Shows the Firm's 'Hunger' Towards a Comeback in the Chip Industry
Intel has been scaling up its chipmaking ambitions since the change in leadership, and under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, the foundry division has vowed to gain recognition in the semiconductor industry. Structural changes are being made within the department, including adjustments to the management hierarchy and the approach towards specific chip processes. According to a report by Taiwan Economic Daily, TSMC's former SVP of Corporate Strategy Development, Wei-Jen Lo, has been approached by Intel to lead the firm's foundry R&D division.
Before we dive into the report, let's discuss how TSMC officials can transition to rivaling firms. Lo had retired back in July 2025, and he is obliged to a 'two-year' clause which prevents him from working with companies like Intel. More importantly, the former executive had been in a key position with TSMC during his tenure, so the Taiwan giant would indeed show reluctance, which could block Lo's move towards Intel Foundry, but reports suggest that the US government could intervene in this matter if the pursuit by CEO Lip-Bu Tan is a serious one.
Wei-Jen Lo has been responsible for several milestones at TSMC, including the introduction of EUV equipment across Taiwanese fabs, as well as working on projects like the 2nm. Therefore, it is safe to say that the executive could be a massive asset for Intel. He has also worked for Intel for around 18 years before joining TSMC, so the former executive does have a chance to rejoin, but there are several implications involved, especially considering that it could harm Lo's reputation in Taiwan.
For now, this is currently a rumor, and no announcements have been made from either TSMC or Intel to validate the joining of Wei-Jen Lo, but it seems like Intel is pursuing a newer approach with the foundry division, which involves recruiting 'key talent' to help with the company's chipmaking ambitions.
About the author: Muhammad Zuhair is a hardware and technology reporter for Wccftech, specializing in the semiconductor industry and the complex interplay between technology, manufacturing, and geopolitics. His coverage focuses on the corporate strategies and technological roadmaps of industry giants like TSMC, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Intel. Zuhair's expertise lies in deconstructing complex topics such as fabrication nodes (e.g., 2nm process), the economic impact of policies like the CHIPS Act, and the strategic development of AI infrastructure from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
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