Intel’s head of data-center and artificial-intelligence operations is leaving the group to take the helm of European telecommunication group Nokia, the latest high-profile departure at the chip maker as it struggles to revamp its business.

His sudden exit leaves another top job vacant at Intel as the chipmaker continues a prolonged search for a new CEO.

Justin Hotard, Intel’s head of data-center and AI operations, is leaving to head up Nokia. Shares of the telecom-gear maker rallied over 2% in Europe; U.S.-listed Intel shares edged higher premarket.

Nokia has hired its first CEO from America in a renewed pivot to AI designed to arrest years of low valuations and stagnant revenue growth. The Finnish telecoms group announced the appointment of Justin Hotard,

Nokia Oyj said it was replacing Chief Executive Officer Pekka Lundmark with Intel Corp.’s Justin Hotard in a surprise announcement as the network equipment maker works to exit a prolonged slump in orders from phone operators.

Finnish telecoms company Nokia on Monday said Pekka Lundmark would step down as CEO, and that it has appointed Justin Hotard to take over his role. Hotard, who will take up the position on April 1, is currently the executive vice president and general manager of Data Center & AI Group at Intel,

The company appointed Hotard as it moves to diversify and search for new growth areas outside of its traditional telecom operator market.

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor and China's leading telecoms providers are integrating the AI model released by DeepSeek into their offerings, the latest Chinese companies look