Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger shares cryptic Bible verse before ousting over failed turnaround

Gelsinger's resignation follows mounting pressure over Intel's declining performance and layoffs.

In a curious twist, Intel's recently ousted CEO, Pat Gelsinger, posted a cryptic Bible verse on social media just a day before his resignation was announced. 

The verse, from Psalm 9:1, read: "I will give thanks with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."

This post, made on Sunday, precedes the official news of Gelsinger stepping down from his role at Intel after almost four years at the helm. 

His tenure was marred by significant challenges, including the company's ongoing struggle to compete with rivals and delays in production that saw Intel fall behind competitors like Nvidia during the AI boom.

Intel's board, following a tense meeting, reportedly lost confidence in Gelsinger’s ability to steer the company out of its downturn, ultimately leading to his ouster. 

Gelsinger, who previously served as Intel’s Chief Technology Officer, was tasked with turning the company around when he assumed the CEO role in February 2021. 

Despite his efforts, Intel's stock plummeted nearly 50% this year, and the company faced a staggering $16.6 billion loss in the third quarter—the largest in its history.

Many fans and users on social media reflected on the timing of his post, with some responding: "Very fitting for the news today... Thanks for your many years of service at Intel, Pat." 

Another follower commented, "Why did this particular info come to you today Pat? thanks for sharing, very inspiring."

This was not the first time Gelsinger had posted Bible verses during difficult moments at Intel. 

In August, just after announcing that the company would lay off 15% of its workforce, he posted another religious message from Proverbs: "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways."

However, this post was met with criticism. Some users questioned the CEO's reliance on religious quotes, with one comment reading, "Have you even asked yourself how bad it really is? It's 'Intel CEO is quoting the bible' levels of bad."

Gelsinger’s resignation follows a series of setbacks for Intel, which had been struggling to maintain its dominance in the semiconductor market amid rising competition and ongoing production issues. 

Intel's struggles were compounded by its failure to respond swiftly to the growing demand for advanced AI chips, which companies like Nvidia have capitalized on.

In a blog post on Monday, Intel thanked Gelsinger for his years of service but acknowledged the challenges that remain. 

The company’s board member, Frank Yeary, noted that there was "much more work to do," and that Intel is focused on restoring investor confidence and evolving into a "leaner, simpler, more agile" organization.

Adding to Intel's woes, a recent announcement revealed that the company’s $8.5 billion grant from the Biden administration under the CHIPS Act had been reduced to $7.86 billion, as Intel delayed its plans to open new plants.

Despite these setbacks, Intel has remained a significant player in the chip manufacturing industry since its founding in 1968. 

However, its future remains uncertain as it faces unprecedented challenges in the highly competitive tech sector.