Apple’s AI Team Hit by Talent Drain
Apple Inc. has experienced a departure of at least four additional artificial intelligence researchers in recent weeks, alongside a prominent Siri executive, with these individuals moving on to companies like Meta Platforms Inc. and Google DeepMind. The most recent departures consist of Yinfei Yang, Haoxuan You, Bailin Wang, and Zirui Wang. According to sources, Yang departed to establish a new company, while You and Bailin Wang joined Meta. According to sources, you have departed for the Superintelligence research division of that company, while Bailin Wang is now engaged in Meta recommendations. The departures highlight the ongoing instability within Apple’s AI division. The company has faced challenges in keeping pace with its competitors in the artificial intelligence sector, and the choice to outsource certain technologies to Alphabet Inc.’s Google has caused discontent among employees. In recent months, the company has experienced a significant departure of talent, particularly within its AI divisions.
Zirui Wang is set to join Google DeepMind, a key player in assisting Apple with the development of essential AI models that will drive new features. This encompasses the technology supporting an enhanced iteration of the Siri voice assistant set to debut this year. In a notable development that has not been reported before, Apple executive Stuart Bowers has departed for Google DeepMind as well. He held a prominent position as one of the company’s senior executives involved in the development of Siri. Bowers was a prominent figure in Apple’s unsuccessful self-driving car initiative before taking on a managerial role focused on revitalizing the company’s voice assistant. Last year, he took on an expanded role, focusing on enhancing Siri’s capability to determine appropriate responses to users. In that capacity, he was accountable to the newly appointed Siri chief, Mike Rockwell. Apple’s AI challenges have led to a decline in stock value this year — despite the company achieving record sales. It announced impressive earnings on Thursday, featuring over $85 billion in iPhone sales. Nonetheless, the absence of impactful AI advancements and the continuous exodus of leading talent pose a considerable challenge, hindering the company’s attempts to orchestrate a recovery.
The defections come in the wake of a significant reorganization of Apple’s AI initiatives last year. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has relieved longtime AI chief John Giannandrea of his duties, transferring responsibility to software head Craig Federighi. Apple has also brought on Amar Subramanya, who previously worked at Google and Microsoft Corp. AI executive, tasked with overseeing various segments of the organization. The recent departures originated from Apple’s Foundation Models, or AFM, team, responsible for developing the foundational technology that powers the Apple Intelligence platform. The group has encountered increasing scrutiny due to ongoing delays in the new Siri and a lukewarm response to Apple’s existing AI features. During the summer, the team experienced the departure of its previous leader, Ruoming Pang, who moved on to Meta. Currently, it is under the leadership of AI researcher Zhifeng Chen. Until the end of last year, the AFM team had been under the supervision of former Google executive Daphne Luong. She was sidelined alongside Giannandrea and continues to report to him at Apple, without any operational responsibilities. Chen and Apple’s AI research and testing teams now report directly to Subramanya.
The company is in the process of developing two new iterations of Siri. A near-term update will utilize personal data to address inquiries. A more ambitious overhaul is planned for later this year, centered on a chatbot-style interface. Both versions will operate on a new architecture driven by models crafted by Google’s team. Apple has seen the departure of more than a dozen AI researchers in the last six months, with numerous exits linked to the company’s choice to outsource certain technologies. When asked on Thursday why Apple chose to use Google, Cook stated it would provide “the most capable foundation” for Apple’s AI models. “We believe that we can unlock a lot of experiences and innovate in a key way due to the collaboration,” he stated during a post-earnings conference call with analysts. The company persists in depending on its proprietary models for on-device Apple Intelligence functionalities. It is improbable that reliance on external partners will continue indefinitely, considering the competitive nature of the AI race and the necessity to provide a distinctive experience.
