New York ( CNN ) -- The world 's largest computer chip maker Intel faces an uncertain future . In a post-PC world where mobile is king , the Silicon Valley stalwart is aware it 's fallen behind on innovation . But in an effort to turn the tide , Intel unveiled a bevy of concept products reflecting the latest industry trend -- the Internet of Things ( IoT ) at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month . There were gesture tracking 3D cameras , smart earbuds that can track fitness activities , a bluetooth personal assistant headset nicknamed `` Jarvis '' after Iron Man 's own virtual aide , a baby monitor of the future in the form of a onesie that observes the child and relays information back to the parent and smart watches galore . Behind the bold strategic expansion is Renee James , the highest-ranked female at the company and president of Intel . A veteran of the tech giant with over 25 years experience , James makes up one half of Intel 's new two-person executive duo along with CEO Brian Krzanich . Together they manage over 100,000 employees worldwide . `` We 're very excited about the strategy and what we 're going to do with the company , '' James tells CNN . `` When I started in this industry , we were all about building PCs , in the early-mid 90s . And PCs at the time changed the way people lived . `` We invented mobile laptops , so we were very good at a certain kind of mobile . What we did n't do , and I think that we got behind on , was going even lower -- phones . '' With an established smartphone market already in place , James is pushing the chip maker to focus on the recently announced `` Edison '' product which they tout as a computer the size of an SD card and other highly-integrated smaller processors like their new `` Quark '' chips , tailor-made for wearable tech applications . The software side of the business is an arena she knows well . Over the years James -- who was recently named one of Fortune 's most powerful women in business -- has spearheaded company strategy through various R & D leadership positions at Intel . `` I do a lot more of what you would consider operational , the manufacturing , human resources . But I did keep the business units that I had before -- software services , security . '' During her ascent to the top of the corporate ladder , James got to work under Andrew Grove -- a pioneer in the semiconductor industry . A legend in his own right , James says meeting Grove was one of the most important moments in her career . Not that the initial introduction during a presentation went all that smoothly . `` We got into a little bit of an argument because he started to tell me how [ the technology ] worked and I said , 'No , no , no . ' And apparently you do n't argue with Andy Grove . `` I was too young , too stupid to know better ... So I thought I 'm going to get fired . '' But for Grove , it was quite the opposite . He liked her gumption and years later made James his technical assistant and then chief of staff . `` He 's a fabulous mentor . I learned more about thinking , about industry structures and strategy and [ about ] 'what 's the real issue ? ' from him than I 'll learn from anybody . '' Despite this wealth of knowledge and experience , many questioned her appointment as the company 's number two in early 2013 . `` I expected it . There have n't been a lot of women at the top of semiconductor companies , '' she says . `` Mostly [ the criticism ] makes me want to be more successful ... I try to focus on what [ Intel ] needs to do to be successful . What 's the next big thing ? ' Additionally she refuses to let gender be seen as a handicap and instead embraces how being a women brings something different to the role . `` I realize that I 'm a role model , and so I feel more of a responsibility to give back to other women who are facing similar challenges . '' Her advice ? `` Follow your gut . A lot of women have very good intuition but they second guess themselves . Do n't . The first answer is not always the right answer but it 's usually a very good directional , correct answer . `` You have to imagine success and work backwards . What are you going to do to make that be the outcome ? Anything is possible , until it 's not . ''
Intel moving away from PCs and into small processors designed for mobile , wearable tech . Expansion masterminded by new president Renee James , CEO Brian Krzanich . Comment: