Justin Hotard, the executive vice president and general manager of Intel's Data Center and AI Group, has left Intel to become the CEO of Nokia. This unexpected move has left Intel without a permanent CEO or head of its key DCAI unit.

In a statement, Intel expressed gratitude for Hotard's contributions and highlighted the strong DCAI team that will continue to advance their priorities. Karin Eibschitz Segal has been appointed as the interim head of the DCAI business.

Hotard's tenure at Intel was marked by mixed results, including the successful launch of the Xeon 6 'Granite Rapids' and 'Sierra Forest' CPUs but also missed sales expectations for its Gaudi 3 processors for AI. He joined Intel from HPE in early 2024 and brings over 25 years of experience in major technology companies, including leadership roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and NCR Corporation.

Sari Baldauf, Chair of Nokia’s Board of Directors, welcomed Hotard, emphasizing his expertise in AI and datacenter markets, which are critical for Nokia's future growth. Hotard will take over as CEO of Nokia starting April 1, 2025, following the departure of Pekka Lundmark, who will stay on as an advisor until the end of the year.

The leadership change at Nokia aims to continue the company's transformation, focusing on AI, datacenters, and next-generation connectivity, as Lundmark led the company through significant challenges in 5G technology, cloud-based network infrastructure, and patent licensing.