Gelsinger wrote on X on Sunday morning: "Every Thursday I do a 24 hour prayer and fasting day. This week I'd invite you to join me in praying and fasting for the 100K Intel employees as they navigate this difficult period. Intel and its team is of seminal importance to the future of the industry and US."

The 63-year-old Gelsinger “resigned” from Intel and its subsidiary, Mobileye, on December 1, after dedicating three decades of his career to the company, including the last four years as its CEO.

The chipmaker has faced significant challenges amid the rise of rivals like Nvidia and TSMC. Gelsinger's departure comes during a four-year turnaround plan to bolster Intel's chipmaking competitiveness.

In the interim, two senior leaders, David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus, will serve as co-CEOs while the board searches for a new chief executive. The company has already formed a search committee "and will work diligently and expeditiously" to find Gelsinger's permanent replacement.