Why Intel’s CEO told NTU alumni in Silicon Valley to “climb the right mountain”

Text: Sadia Roohi

What does it take to spot talent, build enduring companies and turn challenges into opportunities?

For Intel CEO and NTU alumnus Mr Tan Lip-Bu, the answers lie in humility, sound judgement and surrounding oneself with the right people.

These were among the lessons he shared during a fireside chat with NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua at the inaugural NTU Tech Summit & Alumni Conference in Silicon Valley on 23 October 2026.

Held at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, the conference brought together close to 300 alumni, faculty, entrepreneurs and industry leaders under the theme “Engineering the Next Frontier”.

Climb the right mountain

From studying at Nanyang University to founding Walden International and leading Cadence and Intel, Mr Tan has built a career spanning venture capital and global technology leadership.

He emphasised recognising talent, assembling strong teams and fostering intellectual honesty. For aspiring leaders, his advice was to seek mentors, stay humble and pursue work that inspires them.

Reminding the audience that life is a marathon rather than a sprint, he urged them to “climb the right mountain” and focus their efforts meaningfully.

He also encouraged alumni to gain international experience without forgetting their roots. “Remember where you come from. NTU, it's a great school,” he said.

(From left) NTU President Prof Ho Teck Hua moderating the fireside chat with Intel CEO Mr Tan Lip-Bu.

The infrastructure and people behind innovation

Three keynote addresses offered perspectives on the technologies, infrastructure and talent shaping the next wave of innovation, drawing on perspectives from industry and academia.

NTU alumnus Mr Irving Tan, CEO of Western Digital (WD), described AI as a generational transformation. He highlighted the critical role of data infrastructure, noting that while computing resources can be reused, data persists and compounds, creating demand for economical and reliable storage. He also identified physical AI, including robotics and automation, as a major long-term opportunity.

NTU alumnus and WD CEO Irving Tan delivering his keynote address.

Professor Christian Wolfrum, NTU Deputy President and Provost, and Executive Chairman of AI Singapore, outlined Singapore's approach to developing AI capabilities suited to its needs, supported by talent pipelines and practical applications.

“Our advantage is in innovation, building new technologies, and having a quick pathway for translation into the ecosystem,” said Prof Wolfrum.

Prof Christian Wolfrum, NTU Deputy President and Provost, and Executive Chairman of AI Singapore, sharing insights on “Building a Nation's AI Capability” during his keynote.

Professor Shirley Meng, NTU Vice President (Industry) and an NTU alumna, examined advances in battery technology and rising energy-storage demand across electric vehicles, power grids and AI data centres.

She also underscored the importance of nurturing future innovators: “It is my true belief that the students are our real products. The papers, the companies, they are the byproduct.”

NTU Vice President (Industry) and alumna Prof Shirley Meng sharing her perspectives on “Deep Tech Innovations in Energy Storage and Electrification”.

From AI promise to business reality

Four panel discussions brought together alumni, entrepreneurs, investors and researchers to explore how emerging technologies can be translated into business opportunities and real-world applications.

In “Leading Innovation in the Age of AI”, speakers examined why better models alone do not guarantee better business outcomes. Organisations need AI systems that understand their data, operations and context. As NTU alumna Ms Prukalpa Sankar, Founder and Co-CEO of Atlan, asked: “How do you build contextual intelligence? How do you teach AI about your businesses?”

Panellists discussing how businesses can build and apply contextual intelligence in the age of AI.

“The Global Technology Landscape – Opportunities and Challenges” examined the complexities of international expansion. Panellists discussed adapting products for different markets, navigating export controls and evolving supply chains, and Singapore's potential role as a neutral hub amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Panellists sharing perspectives on opportunities and challenges in the global technology landscape.

“Fundraising in a New Era” explored how AI is reshaping venture capital and entrepreneurship. Investors noted that smaller teams can now develop products more quickly, even as competition intensifies and rising valuations prompt questions about the sustainability of the investment landscape. They also considered emerging opportunities in AI applications and the infrastructure and energy needed to support them.

Investors and entrepreneurs discussing the changing fundraising landscape.

In “Leveraging NTU Collaborations for Global Breakthroughs”, the focus turned to translating university research into commercial opportunities.

NTU Vice President (Innovation & Entrepreneurship) Professor Louis Phee called for research to become “real, impactful commercial products and services”.

Panellists highlighted the importance of mentorship, industry expertise and cross-border partnerships. One example was Amperesand, which is commercialising solid-state transformer technology developed at NTU for applications, including AI data-centre power infrastructure.

Panellists exploring how NTU research and industry collaborations can drive global innovation.

Connecting the NTU community worldwide

Beyond the exchange of ideas, the conference strengthened connections between NTU alumni, researchers and industry leaders in Silicon Valley.

Across the conversations, a common message emerged: technological breakthroughs need more than technical expertise. They require people who can exercise sound judgement, adapt to changing conditions and work across disciplines and borders to turn ideas into practical applications.

The gathering also showcased the expertise and entrepreneurial spirit within NTU's global alumni network, and the opportunities for alumni to collaborate with the University and one another.

Hear from the speakers in our video featuring highlights from the discussion.

Read the news release.

Find your NTU community, wherever you are. NTU has alumni associations around the world, including in the US. Find the one nearest you and join their next gathering.