Apple's artificial intelligence chief is stepping down, company says

Apple has announced a significant shift in its artificial intelligence leadership, with John Giannandrea, the company's head of AI, set to depart from his role. This decision marks a notable moment for Apple's AI team, particularly following the introduction of Apple Intelligence, its AI software suite, in 2024. Despite ambitious goals to position itself alongside AI frontrunners such as OpenAI and Google, Apple Intelligence has not garnered positive feedback from users and critics alike. One of its key components, an upgraded version of the Siri assistant, has faced delays, with a launch now pushed back to 2026, indicating potential hurdles in development. Taking over Giannandrea's responsibilities will be Amar Subramanya, an experienced AI researcher previously associated with Microsoft and Google’s DeepMind. Apple has appointed Subramanya as vice president of AI, where he will report directly to Craig Federighi, the company's software chief. Giannandrea, who joined Apple in 2018 and held the title of senior vice president, will transition to an advisory role until next spring. In a statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged Federighi's essential contributions to the company's AI initiatives, emphasizing his involvement in enhancing Siri's personalized capabilities, which are expected to roll out next year. Subramanya will oversee teams dedicated to Apple's foundational models, AI research, and safety protocols. While Apple shares have seen a 16% increase in 2025 thus far, they have not kept pace with other major tech firms, as investors express concerns regarding Apple's competitive position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, especially against rivals heavily investing in AI technologies. This development is being closely monitored as the situation evolves.