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Apple announced on Monday that the leader of its AI team is stepping down, with plans to be led by a seasoned engineer from Google and Microsoft. The company’s senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, John Giannandrea, is expected to retire early next year, following some setbacks in demonstrating that Apple remains competitive in emerging technologies. During his final months, Giannandrea will act as an advisor, according to Apple.
” We appreciate John’s contributions to building and advancing our AI initiatives,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement releasing the news.
The company has brought on Amar Subramanya as vice president, tasked with overseeing critical areas such as foundational AI models and machine learning. Subramanya was most recently a corporate VP of AI at Microsoft and spent 16 years at Google, where he led engineering efforts for the Gemini digital assistant before his departure.
Apple highlighted Subramanya’s experience integrating AI into product features as crucial for ongoing innovation and the development of future AI capabilities. Giannandrea, who joined Apple in 2018 to lead AI efforts, has been responsible for projects like Siri. Earlier this year, Apple postponed the launch of an upgraded Siri, aiming to release it next year.
Meanwhile, competitors like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI continue to release increasingly advanced AI models and features, intensifying the race to dominate the technology. Apple faces mounting pressure to demonstrate it is not falling behind in AI, which has the potential to revolutionize internet and device interactions.
Cook reaffirmed that AI remains a core part of Apple’s strategy and praised Subramanya’s AI expertise. He indicated that Subramanya will report to senior VP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi, who has been instrumental in driving AI initiatives, including efforts to deliver a more personalized Siri next year.
Recently, Cook showcased Apple’s latest devices, emphasizing the company’s investments in custom chips and AI-powered enhancements across its products and services.
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