Intel plans to hire 4,000 new employees

The new workers will focus on product development and R&D

Global tech giant Intel has announced that it plans to hire 4,000 new employees in the US this year, providing further evidence of the increase in demand for semi-conductors as IT departments continue to refresh their hardware.

At an event attended by US President Barack Obama, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said the new workers would focus on product development and R&D.

"These employees will focus on areas that span the exploration of new materials to create even smaller transistors, to products that we believe will transform the way that healthcare and education are delivered, to future technologies that involve augmented reality and computers that can read minds, or at least anticipate your needs," said Otellini.

Intel also hinted that further jobs would be created in the near future, with the announcement of a new $5bn (£3.1bn) factory being built at its site in Arizona.

"When completed, it will be the most advanced high-volume semiconductor factory in the world," said Otellini.

"This activity will create thousands of construction and permanent manufacturing jobs in this country above and beyond what I have described."

President Obama is currently on a visit to the West Coast to promote technology innovation, and has also met with the likes of Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg.