Intel admits there's internal resistance to diversity outreach

Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich spoke at the PUSHTech 2020 conference on Saturday, where he admitted that the company’s bid to become more inclusive to minorities has meet internal resistance; “People worry that as a white man, you’re kind of under siege to a certain extent.”

“There’s been a bit of resistance. We’ve even had a few threats and things like that on some of our leadership team around our position on diversity and inclusion. We stand up there and just remind everybody it’s not an exclusive process. We’re not bringing in women or African-Americans or Hispanics in exclusion to other people. We’re actually just trying to bring them in and be a part of the whole environment.”

Intel have increasingly hired women, at least those who identify as females, but have failed to increase the proportion of African-American and Hispanic staff. Earlier this week the chip maker also announced 12,000 job cuts to its global workforce, 11% of their total, as the PC market continues to decline. Intel is moving from PC production to focus more on tech solutions and cloud computing.

In January Intel pledged $300m to promote diversity, both internally and by working with external organisations. Among the organisations is IGDA (International Game Developers Association) who recommend a twitter blacklist that we're on, and Feminist Frequency, who uses said blacklist. I guess we really are the red-headed stepchild here.

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA), which claims to be the largest non-profit membership organization in the world serving all individuals who create games, has attempted to distance itself from a Twitter block tool it recently attempted to publicize, after its actions incorrectly branded thousands of consumers, games developers and journalists, as well as its own staff members and KFC as online harassers.

Many are speculating that Intel's diversity outreach is a direct result of the negative press Intel received when they pulled ads from Gamasutra. Media buyers, take note, the press you place ads on now dictate where you should place your ads. Your job is now obsolete.