Intel to replace marketing staff with Accenture and AI, layoffs expected by July

Intel is moving ahead with a major overhaul of its marketing operations, and employees are starting to feel the impact. As reported by OregonLive, many roles in Intel’s marketing division will be handed over to Accenture, which plans to use AI to perform tasks previously handled by Intel employees.

The company hasn’t revealed how many people will be affected, but staff have been told they’ll know by July 11 whether they still have jobs. Only small, “lean” teams are expected to remain.

The marketing division helped build its direct-to-consumer reputation starting in the early ’90s with the “Intel Inside” campaign. Now, Intel says it wants to free up internal teams to focus on creative and high-impact work, while Accenture’s systems handle more routine marketing functions.

That includes task automation, data processing, and personalized messaging, areas where the company believes AI can deliver faster, more cost-efficient results. Intel claims this will help modernize its brand and improve service to customers.

In a message shared with OregonLive, Intel said:

As we announced earlier this year, we are taking steps to become a leaner, faster, and more efficient company. As part of this, we are focused on modernizing our digital capabilities to serve our customers better and strengthen our brand. Accenture is a longtime partner and trusted leader in these areas and we look forward to expanding our work together.

It should be noted that the part of the transition may involve current employees walking Accenture through Intel’s internal systems—essentially training their replacements.

It’s unclear how long that process will take. Well, layoffs have been rampant across the tech industry these days. Earlier this month, a report suggested that Microsoft will soon lay off thousands from the sales department.