Intel is closing its agentic and inference optimization research laboratories in Israel. The closure results in the layoff of 13 employees. This facility contributed to over 50 academic papers and collaborated with major open-source platforms on natural language processing and large language models.
The shutdown is part of a broader streamlining program under Lip-Bu Tan. This initiative has already reduced the number of vice presidents and management layers within the company. Global AI industry executives expressed surprise at the decision to cut core applied research despite the team's significant technological contributions.