AMD is a leading global semiconductor company with a business portfolio spanning client products, servers, embedded systems, and AI accelerators. Reporting 2023 revenues of $23.6 billion, AMD has made a major push to position itself as a generative AI beneficiary.
Leading the internal IT strategy and AI implementation at AMD is Chief Information Officer Hasmukh Ranjan, who oversees a team of approximately 1,000 people. Ranjan’s role goes beyond typical CIO responsibilities; he actively supports product development internally, serving as the company’s customer zero. He also runs indirect procurement for the company, as well as serving as an advocate of AMD with peer CIOs who are in many cases the company’s customers.
AMD’s Dual Role in the AI Revolution
As a critical player in the AI ecosystem, AMD operates on two fronts: developing semiconductor products that drive AI advancement and implementing AI internally to streamline operations. “Our goal is to build products that redefine what’s possible in AI,” Ranjan noted. “Our advanced semiconductor chips facilitate large language models (LLMs) and other AI applications, positioning us to support enterprises in ways previously unimagined.” Internally, AMD uses its own technology to enhance operational efficiency, aiming to serve as a showcase enterprise that others can emulate. Ranjan sees this dual focus as a major advantage, allowing AMD to not only contribute to the AI industry but also use AI to improve its processes in areas like engineering, HR and procurement.
A Framework for AI Integration
To realize AMD’s AI ambitions, Ranjan has implemented a strategic, long-term AI framework based on four key principles: Assist, Action, Automate and Autonomous. Assist entails the use of chatbots, copilots and questions and answer functionality. Action fosters transactions, suggestions and alerts. Automate aids the refinement of end-to-end processes and further systematization. Finally, autonomous projects the creation of digital personas, providing self-deciding technology and supervisor-less capabilities.
“We’re on a journey from assistive tools to fully autonomous systems,” he explained. Currently, AMD focuses on AI copilots and chatbots that help employees work more efficiently. The company’s internal AI roadmap also prioritizes tools that can eventually take actions autonomously, cutting down on the need for human intervention. Ranjan emphasized that achieving this vision requires robust data quality and computational power: “The journey from assistive to autonomous systems depends on rich data, advanced analytics and significant compute resources,” he emphasized. His team’s work aims to chart a path from AI assisting with tasks to a future where autonomous systems streamline AMD’s operations.
Data and Compute as Pillars of AI Innovation
Ranjan views data and compute as the cornerstones of successful AI adoption. “Data is at the heart of AI, and the compute power to process it is equally crucial,” he said, explaining that AMD’s access to cutting-edge technology—some of which is not yet publicly available—gives the company a unique advantage.
To ensure they are maximizing the utility of their data, AMD has developed tailored AI tools for various job roles, such as engineers and HR professionals, allowing each to benefit from specific AI-driven efficiencies. “We’ve mapped out ‘a day in the life’ of different roles at AMD to identify the best ways to leverage AI,” Ranjan explained. “This targeted approach informs how we select and deploy AI tools to achieve meaningful productivity gains.”
The Evolving Role of IT in AI Adoption
Ranjan believes that AI will fundamentally redefine the role of IT, with data and compute becoming central to IT’s responsibilities. He noted that while enterprises today only utilize about 5% of their data, future AI advancements could enable organizations to tap into as much as 75% of their data. “AI evolution is closely tied to data, and IT is poised to lead this shift in the enterprise setting,” Ranjan highlighted with excitement. However, he acknowledges that maximizing data utilization will require a new wave of workforce skills, and AMD has already created an “AI Compute” team with specialized roles to lead the way. “We’ve introduced a new job family around AI compute, and we’re bringing in both experienced professionals and recent graduates who can approach challenges with fresh perspectives,” he shared. This new team not only supports AMD’s internal needs but also collaborates with product groups to enhance offerings for external customers.
AI and the Workforce Evolution
As AI reshapes the workplace, Ranjan acknowledges both the excitement and apprehension surrounding its impact on jobs. Reflecting on his experiences growing up in India, he recalled initial resistance to technology in industries like banking, only to see these sectors become major adopters of IT. “People worried about job loss, but the reality is that technology has created more jobs,” Ranjan underscored. “The same will happen with AI. It’s not about losing jobs; it’s about shifting to new roles that require different skills.”
In recent months, AMD’s IT team has seen a surge in demand for new roles related to AI compute and automation, showing that the technology is indeed a catalyst for job creation. Ranjan expressed confidence that as long as employees are open to reskilling, they will find new opportunities in the AI-driven future.
Building Ecosystems and Setting Metrics for Success
In guiding AMD’s AI transformation, Ranjan emphasizes the importance of partnerships and measurable goals. “AI evolution is not something you can achieve alone,” he noted. AMD has established an ecosystem of trusted suppliers and partners across layers of infrastructure, from compute and networking to data and middleware. Additionally, Ranjan and AMD’s Chief Software Officer work closely with CEO Lisa Su to report on AI initiatives, using key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and ensure that projects stay results-oriented. “This isn’t a science experiment; we have clear KPIs to measure our success across different parts of the enterprise,” Ranjan explained. By focusing on metrics like time savings in engineering, AMD ensures that its AI initiatives are delivering real value.
A Roadmap to the Future
With a clear strategy for AI adoption, Ranjan is optimistic about AMD’s ability to lead by example. “We’re only beginning to understand the full potential of AI,” he said, “but over time, it will transform enterprises and redefine IT.” Through thoughtful implementation and continuous learning, Ranjan’s team at AMD is setting a roadmap that not only strengthens the company internally but also offers a model for other organizations embarking on their own AI journeys.
Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.