Apple Realigns AI Leadership After Siri Delays
CUPERTINO, CA – Apple is restructuring its artificial intelligence division following delays in the rollout of an upgraded Siri and reported concerns over the pace of AI development. John Giannandrea, who spearheaded Apple’s AI and Search efforts as joining the company from Google in 2018, is stepping down from his role and will serve as an advisor before retiring in the spring of 2026.The move comes as Apple prepares to launch a more personalized Siri next spring and increasingly focuses on its “Apple Intelligence” features.
Giannandrea’s departure follows a March announcement that the upgraded Siri was being delayed, with Apple admitting “it’s taking longer than we thought.” Bloomberg reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook had “lost confidence” in Giannandrea’s oversight of the AI team, leading to Vision Pro leader Mike rockwell being placed in charge temporarily. Now, Apple has appointed Amar Subramanya as its new vice president of AI. Subramanya brings extensive experience from both Google, where he worked for 16 years, and Microsoft, where he most recently served as corporate VP of AI.
Subramanya will oversee the development of Apple’s AI models,machine learning research,and AI safety,reporting to Apple software SVP craig Federighi.Apple stated Subramanya’s experience integrating AI research into products “will be significant to Apple’s ongoing innovation and future Apple Intelligence features.”
“AI has long been central to Apple’s strategy, and we are pleased to welcome Amar to Craig’s leadership team and to bring his extraordinary AI expertise to Apple,” Cook said in a statement. “In addition to growing his leadership team and AI responsibilities with Amar’s joining, craig has been instrumental in driving our AI efforts, including overseeing our work to bring a more personalized Siri to users next year.” Bloomberg has reported Apple may power some of the assistant’s new features with a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI model.
