Apple Replaces AI Chief as Company Falls Behind in AI Race
CUPERTINO, CA – Apple has replaced John Giannandrea as head of its artificial intelligence division, the company announced Monday, signaling a meaningful shift in strategy as it struggles to compete with rivals in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Amar Subramanya, a 16-year veteran of Google who led engineering for the company’s Gemini assistant, will assume the role.
The move comes after Apple delayed the launch of its planned “Apple Intelligence” and next-generation Siri – initially slated for release this year, now pushed to 2026 – and a largely unsuccessful attempt to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into Siri, which users found “clunky.” Giannandrea,who joined Apple in 2018,will be transitioning out of the company.
Apple’s decision to restructure its AI leadership and bring Siri growth under the software engineering group led by Craig Federighi,announced in March,followed by the removal of its robotics research group from Giannandrea’s AI division in April,underscores the company’s acknowledgment of falling behind competitors.
Despite its advantages – a loyal user base, strong data privacy reputation, and control over both hardware and software – Apple has yet to deliver a compelling AI experience. The company is now weighing whether to prioritize developing its own AI models or relying on those created by other companies,such as Google’s Gemini.
Apple stock closed up $4.25 (1.52%) at $283.10 following the proclamation. The company expects increased focus and pressure to deliver new AI features and a smarter Siri across its devices.
