Apple has lost at least four additional artificial intelligence researchers in recent weeks, according to reports. The departures include a mix of staff leaving to found a new company and researchers joining competitors, while a senior executive who had been working on Siri has also departed for Google DeepMind.
Among the researchers who left is Yinfei Yang, who departed Apple to start a new company. Two other researchers, Haoxuan You and Bailin Wang, moved to Meta. Haoxuan You joined Meta's Superintelligence research division, while Bailin Wang is now working on Meta's recommendation systems.
Another researcher, Zirui Wang, has taken a role at Google DeepMind. Google DeepMind is also noted as a partner helping Apple to build core AI models intended for new features, including technology that will support an upgraded version of Siri scheduled for release this year.
In a separate departure, Stuart Bowers, a senior executive involved in Siri, has left Apple for Google DeepMind. Bowers had previously served as a senior leader on Apple's self-driving car project before transitioning to a management role tasked with improving the company's voice assistant. Last year, his responsibilities expanded to focus on Siri's response capabilities, and he began reporting to the company's new Siri chief, Mike Rockwell.
These exits underscore ongoing challenges within Apple's AI organization as the firm attempts to keep pace with competitors in the artificial intelligence arena. Staff discontent with decisions to outsource portions of the company's AI technology to Alphabet's Google has been cited as a contributing factor to the recent wave of departures, particularly across Apple's AI teams.
The departures represent a mix of direct hires by competitors and internal leaders moving to partner organizations that are also suppliers of core AI components. The combination of talent outflow and the company's strategic choices about where to source key AI technology frames the current retention challenge facing Apple's AI efforts.
Summary
- At least four AI researchers have left Apple recently; departures include moves to Meta, Google DeepMind, and one founder exit.
- Stuart Bowers, a senior Siri executive, also left Apple for Google DeepMind after expanded responsibilities overseeing Siri response capabilities.
- Reports link staff discontent over Apple outsourcing some AI technology to Alphabet's Google with the recent talent departures.
Key Points
- Talent movement: Multiple AI researchers and a senior Siri executive have departed Apple for Meta and Google DeepMind, and one researcher left to start a new company - impacting the technology and AI research sectors.
- Partnership overlap: Google DeepMind is both recruiting from Apple and working with Apple to develop core AI models for upcoming features, including an upgraded Siri - relevant to corporate partnerships and supplier dynamics in tech.
- Retention pressure: The exits highlight retention challenges within Apple's AI teams, with potential implications for product development timelines and competitive positioning in AI-driven consumer features.
Risks and Uncertainties
- Ongoing departures could disrupt Apple's internal AI initiatives and development schedules - affecting the technology and consumer electronics markets.
- Staff dissatisfaction stemming from outsourcing decisions may lead to further attrition if unaddressed - a risk to Apple’s ability to retain specialized AI talent.
- The dual role of Google DeepMind as a collaborator with Apple and as an employer of former Apple staff introduces potential conflicts or coordination challenges in AI model development.