AMD shifts from x86 challenger to AI infrastructure supplier

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. designs CPUs, GPUs, and adaptive computing products for data centers, PCs, gaming, embedded systems, and AI workloads. Founded on May 1, 1969, in Sunnyvale, California, the company grew from a second-source semiconductor supplier into a major competitor to Intel in x86 processors and Nvidia in graphics.

AMD’s modern recovery traces through several major shifts: the 2006 acquisition of ATI Technologies for approximately $5.4 billion, the 2009 spin-off of manufacturing into GlobalFoundries, and the appointment of Lisa T. Su as CEO in 2014. Semi-custom console chips helped stabilize the business, while Zen-based Ryzen and EPYC processors restored competitiveness in consumer and server markets.

The company has accelerated its AI push with Instinct accelerators, ROCm software, and adaptive computing assets from the $49 billion Xilinx acquisition completed in February 2022. In 2025, AMD announced an OpenAI partnership to supply up to 6 gigawatts of Instinct GPUs, starting with a 1 GW rollout of MI450 series in late 2026. AMD reported third-quarter revenue of $9.2 billion and employed approximately 28,000 people worldwide as of 2025, reflecting stronger demand across data center and client segments.