Apple loses senior Siri executive and AI researchers to Google DeepMind and Meta

Apple Loses AI Researchers and Siri Executive to Rivals

Apple has lost at least four more AI researchers and a senior Siri executive in recent weeks, marking another significant blow to the company's artificial intelligence efforts 1

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. The latest exits include Yinfei Yang, Haoxuan You, Bailin Wang, and Zirui Wang, with Yang leaving to start a new company while You and Bailin Wang joined Meta 2

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. You now works with Meta's Superintelligence research arm, while Bailin Wang contributes to Meta recommendations 1

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Stuart Bowers Departure Highlights Internal Turbulence

In a previously unreported development, Stuart Bowers, one of Apple's most senior executives working on Siri, left for Google DeepMind 5

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. The Stuart Bowers departure is particularly significant given his expanded role last year working on Siri's ability to respond to users, where he reported directly to Siri chief Mike Rockwell 4

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. Bowers had previously been a top leader on Apple's failed self-driving car project before transitioning to manage the company's voice assistant turnaround efforts 1

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. There's notable irony in his move to Google DeepMind, where he will likely work on the Gemini AI models that Apple is using to build its next-generation version of Siri 2

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Foundation Models Team Faces Mounting Pressure

The recent departures came from Apple's Foundation Models, or AFM, team, which develops the underlying technology behind the Apple Intelligence platform 1

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. The group has faced mounting scrutiny following repeated delays to the new Siri and a muted reception to Apple's current AI features. Over the summer, the team lost its former leader, Ruoming Pang, to Meta, and is now run by AI researcher Zhifeng Chen 4

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. Apple has lost well over a dozen AI researchers in the past six months, with many exits stemming from the company's decision to outsource some of its technology 1

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Reorganization and Talent Retention Issues in Apple's AI Division

The exodus of AI researchers follows a major reorganization of Apple's AI efforts last year. CEO Tim Cook relieved longtime AI chief John Giannandrea of his duties and handed responsibility to software head Craig Federighi 4

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. Apple also hired Amar Subramanya, a former Google and Microsoft AI executive, to oversee parts of the organization. Former Google executive Daphne Luong, who had overseen the AFM team until the end of last year, was sidelined alongside Giannandrea and remains at Apple without operational responsibilities 1

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. The AI talent drain extends beyond researchers, with OpenAI reportedly hiring around 40 Apple engineers in recent months, including manufacturing design expert Matt Theobald and human interface design lead Cyrus Daniel Irani 5

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Google DeepMind Partnership and Upgraded Siri Plans

Zirui Wang's move to Google DeepMind is particularly notable as the company is helping Apple build the core AI models that will power new features, including the technology underpinning an upgraded version of the Siri voice assistant launching this year 3

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. Apple is preparing two new versions of Siri: a near-term update that will tap into personal data to answer queries, and a more ambitious overhaul for later this year built around a chatbot-style interface . Both versions will run on a new architecture powered by models developed by Google's team, though Apple continues to rely on its own models for on-device Apple Intelligence features 4

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Stock Impact and Competitive Landscape for AI

Apple's AI challenges have contributed to a stock slump this year, even as the company reported blockbuster earnings on Thursday, including more than $85 billion in iPhone sales 1

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. The lack of compelling AI breakthroughs and the ongoing drain of top talent remain a significant overhang, complicating the company's efforts to engineer a turnaround in the competitive landscape for AI. When asked why Apple chose to use Google, Cook said it would provide "the most capable foundation" for Apple's AI models, adding that the company believes it can "unlock a lot of experiences and innovate in a key way due to the collaboration" 4

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. The decision to outsource some technology to Google has reportedly rankled staff, contributing to the exodus of talent from its AI ranks 1

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. It's unlikely Apple will depend on outside partners indefinitely, given the competitive stakes of the AI race and the need to deliver a unique chatbot experience 4

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