Apple’s AI head John Giannandrea is retiring, with Google and Microsoft veteran Amar Subramanya taking over the critical machine learning efforts.
SAN FRANCISCO: Apple’s head of artificial intelligence is stepping down as the company works to close the gap with its tech rivals.
Senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy John Giannandrea will retire early next year.
He will serve as an advisor to Apple during his remaining time with the company.
“We are thankful for the role John played in building and advancing our AI work,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said.
Researcher Amar Subramanya will join as a vice president to lead AI foundation models and machine learning.
Subramanya was most recently a corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft.
He previously spent 16 years at Google, where he was head of engineering for the Gemini digital assistant.
Apple cited his experience integrating AI into products as critical for future “Apple Intelligence” features.
Giannandrea joined Apple in 2018 to head its AI efforts.
The company delayed an improved Siri digital assistant earlier this year, now promising it for 2025.
Rivals like Google, Microsoft and OpenAI have been releasing improved AI models in a fierce race.
Apple faces pressure to show it is not being left behind in the transformative technology.
Cook has called AI “central to Apple’s strategy.”
He said Subramanya will bring “extraordinary AI expertise” to the role.
Subramanya will report to senior vice president of Software Engineering Craig Federighi.
“Craig has been instrumental in driving our AI efforts,” Cook added.
On a recent earnings call, Cook touted Apple’s custom chips and AI-enhanced products.
