Apple design exec Alan Dye joins Meta to lead new creative studio focused on AI integration

Meta poaches Apple design exec Alan Dye | TechCrunch

Alan Dye, the design executive who led Apple's user interface team for the last decade, is leaving the company to join Meta, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This is a significant hire for Meta, as the company makes a push toward consumer devices like smart glasses and virtual reality headsets. Dye will focus on improving AI features in these devices and report directly to Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth. At Apple, Dye will be replaced by Steve Lemay, who has had "a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999," according to a statement Apple CEO Tim Cook gave Bloomberg. It seems that Meta is recruiting from its competitors to help the company compete in the AI race, as Meta also poached researchers from OpenAI this summer. (Allegedly, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hand-delivered homemade soup to an OpenAI employee in a recruitment push; OpenAI chief research officer Mark Chen said that he has since delivered his own soup to promising Meta recruits.)

Apple design VP Alan Dye departing for Meta - 9to5Mac

Alan Dye, Apple's vice president of Human Interface Design since 2015, is departing the company. Bloomberg reports that Meta has poached Dye as part of its push "into AI-equipped consumer devices." Stephen Lemay, a 26-year Apple design veteran, will take over the role from Dye, who officially joins Meta on December 31. In a statement to Bloomberg, Tim Cook said: "Steve Lemay has played a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999. He has always set an extraordinarily high bar for excellence and embodies Apple's culture of collaboration and creativity." Dye informed Apple's top management of his departure this week, though Bloomberg says "top management had already been bracing for his departure." At Meta, Dye will lead a new design studio and oversee hardware, software, and AI integration across Meta's products. Dye's role at Apple has blossomed since the departure of Jony Ive in 2019. Most recently, he oversaw the massive Liquid Glass overall in iOS 26 and personally unveiled the new design language at WWDC in June. He also played a key role in the design of Apple Vision Pro and visionOS. In addition to Dye, Bloomberg says Apple design deputy Billy Sorrentino is also leaving the company to join Meta.

Meta's Creative Studio Led by Former Apple Design Head to 'Treat Intelligence as a New Design Material'

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg today announced plans to launch a creative studio that will be led by former Apple UI designer Alan Dye. As we learned earlier today, Dye is leaving his position as Vice President of Human Interface Design at Apple to become Meta's new chief design officer. In a post on social media site Threads, Zuckerberg said that Meta's creative studio will merge design, fashion, and technology, while also treating intelligence as a "new design material." The new studio will bring together design, fashion, and technology to define the next generation of our products and experiences. Our idea is to treat intelligence as a new design material and imagine what becomes possible when it is abundant, capable, and human-centered. We plan to elevate design within Meta, and pull together a talented group with a combination of craft, creative vision, systems thinking, and deep experience building iconic products that bridge hardware and software. We're entering a new era where AI glasses and other devices will change how we connect with technology and each other. The potential is enormous, but what matters most is making these experiences feel natural and truly centered around people. With this new studio, we're focused on making every interaction thoughtful, intuitive, and built to serve people. Meta is also hiring another Apple designer, Billy Sorrentino, who has been on Apple's human interface design team for the last 10 years. Like Dye, Sorrentino worked on Apple's iOS 26 Liquid Glass redesign. Along with the two former Apple designers, Meta's studio will include its existing industrial design team and its metaverse design and art teams. Meta currently sells its Quest VR headsets and AI smart glasses designed in collaboration with Ray-Ban and Oakley. Meta is aiming to expand further into hardware, and it is hard at work on a set of augmented reality glasses. Alan Dye was one of Apple's few remaining designers that worked alongside Jony Ive. He originally joined Apple in 2006, transitioning to Ive's team in 2012 to work on iOS 7. He has been leading Apple's user interface design team since 2015, and will now start at Meta on December 31.

UI design chief exits Apple to head up Meta's new design studio

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that a key Apple executive is leaving the company (no, it's not Tim Cook). Alan Dye, who leads Apple's user interface design team, is leaving Apple Park in Cupertino for the Ravenswood Slough in Menlo Park and the headquarters of Meta, where he will lead "a new design studio," said Gurman, and will be "in charge of design for hardware, software and AI integration for its interfaces." Dye has led Apple's user interface design team since 2015. He will be replaced by Steve Lemay, who "has played a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement to Bloomberg. "He has always set an extraordinarily high bar for excellence and embodies Apple's culture of collaboration and creativity." Dye played a key role in several recent product rollouts for Apple. He led the efforts for the UI redesign in the version 26 operating systems, as well as with the Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and iPhone X. He was one of Jony Ive's proteges and one of the few designers remaining from that era. This news follows several reports throughout this year of Meta poaching Apple employees. Several of Apple's AI development team have left for Meta, including Ruoming Pang, who led Apple's AI model development. Bloomberg reported that Pang was offered a $200 million compensation package, most of which is stock options. Earlier this week, Apple announced that AI chief John Giannandrea was "retiring" and renowned AI researcher Amar Subramanya would be taking his place.

Alan Dye leaves Apple for Meta's Reality Labs Studio

Alan Dye, Apple's user-interface design executive for the past decade, is departing the company to join Meta and lead a new creative studio within its Reality Labs division. The move, reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, aims to enhance AI features in Meta's consumer devices, including smart glasses and virtual reality headsets. Dye will report directly to Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth. At Apple, Dye oversaw the user interface team, contributing to the design of software interfaces across the company's product lineup. His departure leaves a vacancy that Apple plans to fill with Steve Lemay. Lemay has played a central role in designing every major Apple interface since 1999, spanning products from the original iPod to recent iOS updates. Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed the replacement in a statement, highlighting Lemay's long-standing involvement in the company's design efforts. Meta's recruitment of Dye aligns with broader efforts to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence and consumer hardware. This summer, the company also hired researchers from OpenAI to bolster its AI capabilities. Recruitment tactics included personal gestures, such as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivering homemade soup to an OpenAI employee. In response, OpenAI Chief Research Officer Mark Chen mentioned delivering his own soup to promising Meta recruits, illustrating the competitive dynamics in the AI talent market. Following the announcement of Dye's hire, Zuckerberg revealed the establishment of the new creative studio inside Reality Labs. This studio will operate under Dye's leadership and integrate expertise from multiple areas within Meta. The core team includes Billy Sorrentino, a former Apple designer who previously served as interface lead across Reality Labs; Joshua To, another former interface lead at Reality Labs; Pete Bristol, who heads Meta's industrial design team; and Jason Rubin, who leads Meta's metaverse design and art teams. Zuckerberg described the studio's purpose on Threads, stating it will "bring together design, fashion, and technology to define the next generation of our products and experiences." He further explained, "Our idea is to treat intelligence as a new design material and imagine what becomes possible when it is abundant, capable, and human-centered." The initiative seeks to elevate design at Meta by assembling a group possessing craft, creative vision, systems thinking, and extensive experience in developing products that integrate hardware and software.

Who is Alan Dye? Top Apple design executive poached by Meta in a major coup

Meta poaches Apple design chief: Meta has hired Alan Dye, Apple's longtime head of user interface design, in a major talent coup that highlights its growing push into AI-powered consumer hardware. His departure adds to a wave of recent high-level exits at Apple, while Meta positions him at the center of its next-generation device strategy. Meta poaches Apple design chief: Meta has made one of its most significant talent moves yet, hiring Alan Dye, Apple's long-time head of user interface design, in a move that signals Meta's push deeper into AI-powered consumer hardware. Dye has been one of Apple's most influential design leaders since 2015, shaping the look and feel of major operating systems, key apps, and devices including the iPhone X, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro headset. His team also contributed to Apple's upcoming smart home devices, according to a Bloomberg report. Apple confirmed Dye's departure and has reportedly named long-time designer Stephen Lemay as his replacement, but it has not been announced officially. CEO Tim Cook said, "Steve Lemay has played a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999," adding, "He has always set an extraordinarily high bar for excellence and embodies Apple's culture of collaboration and creativity," as quoted by Bloomberg. ALSO READ: Jensen Huang's secret soft spot for Elon Musk -- here's the story you didn't know Dye's exit marks another major shift for Apple's design organization, which has seen a steady outflow of top talent since Jony Ive left in 2019. In recent weeks, Apple also lost several high-level executives, including longtime COO Jeff Williams, AI chief John Giannandrea, and former hardware lead Dan Riccio. At Meta, Dye will take on a sweeping new role. The company is creating a new design studio where he will oversee hardware design, software, and AI integration across Meta's interfaces. He will report directly to Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, who leads Reality Labs, the division behind Meta's wearable devices, including smart glasses and virtual reality headsets. Dye is set to become chief design officer for the group beginning December 31, with his primary focus on revamping Meta's consumer hardware lineup with AI-driven features, as per the Bloomberg report. He will also be joined by Billy Sorrentino, one of his senior deputies at Apple. ALSO READ: Record $12.5 billion debt buyback: Treasury pulls off the largest rescue move in US history Despite the high-profile departures, Cook said, "Design is fundamental to who we are at Apple, and today, we have an extraordinary design team working on the most innovative product lineup in our history," as quoted by Bloomberg. Why did Meta hire Alan Dye? Meta brought him on to lead design for its hardware, software, and AI-integrated interfaces as it expands in AI devices. What will Alan Dye do at Meta? He will head a new design studio and serve as chief design officer for Reality Labs starting December 31.

Meta's Zuckerberg Pays Big For Top Apple Design Chief In AI Race - Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) has hired Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AAPL) longtime head of human interface design, Alan Dye, as it ramps up efforts to expand its consumer hardware and artificial intelligence technology initiatives. Dye, who will join Meta as chief design officer on December 31, has led Apple's human interface design team since 2015 after joining the company in 2006. During his tenure, he shaped the look and feel of flagship products, including the Vision Pro headset, iPhone X, and Apple Watch, and oversaw major redesigns of Apple's operating systems and apps, Bloomberg reported. Also Read: Meta To Spend $600 Billion In US On AI, Aims For 'Personal Superintelligence' For Everyone What Will Sye Do For Meta? According to Bloomberg, at Meta, Dye will lead a new design studio responsible for hardware, software, and AI integration across consumer devices. He will report to Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, who oversees Reality Labs, the division behind wearable technologies such as smart glasses and virtual reality headsets. The hire signals Meta's intention to expand its consumer hardware offerings beyond smart glasses, leveraging partnerships with EssilorLuxottica brands Ray-Ban and Oakley to bring AI-enabled devices to market. Apple's AI Effort Dye's departure marks a significant loss for Apple, which is already experiencing executive turnover with recent exits including COO Jeff Williams and AI chief John Giannandrea. According to a Reuters report, Apple has confirmed veteran designer Stephen Lemay will succeed Dye, noting that Lemay has played a central role in designing every major Apple interface since 1999. Meta's AI Effort Earlier in 2025, Meta ramped up its AI talent recruitment by hiring former Apple engineers Mark Lee and Tom Gunter for its Superintelligence Labs team. The hires followed the recent recruitment of their former boss, Ruoming Pang, Apple's ex-head of large language models, who joined Meta with a multiyear package reportedly exceeding $200 million. Meta also added AI talent from OpenAI and Anthropic, including Yuanzhi Li and Anton Bakhtin, as part of its aggressive expansion of the superintelligence unit. Lee and Gunter played key roles on Apple's Foundation Models team, and Gunter joins a growing group of AI experts at Meta receiving seven-figure, multiyear deals. According to the report, Meta capitalized on internal uncertainty at Apple over Siri and AI strategy, offering substantially higher compensation than Apple to attract top engineers. Meanwhile, Apple has offered raises to retain its core AI staff, but insiders said the packages lag Meta's. The $1.6 trillion market cap Meta has gained over 9% in stock value year-to-date. The $4.2 trillion Apple has gained over 13%. Price Action: Meta Platforms shares were up 3.59% at $662.58 and Apple shares were down 0.43% at $282.93 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data. Read Next: Alibaba Faces Fierce AI Talent Poaching As Rivals Lure Top Qwen Model Engineers Photo via Shutterstock METAMeta Platforms Inc$662.153.53%OverviewAAPLApple Inc$282.16-0.70%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Apple loses UI design head Alan Dye to Meta in latest high-level departure

Apple will replace Dye with longtime designer Stephen Lemay. Meta has hired Apple's top user interface design executive, Alan Dye, signaling Meta's growing ambition to build consumer hardware powered by AI. For those unaware, Dye has led Apple's user interface design team since 2015. At Meta, Dye will lead a newly created design studio focused on designing hardware, software, and AI integration for all of the company's interfaces. He will report to chief technology officer Andrew Bosworth, who oversees the Reality Labs division responsible for devices such as VR headsets and smart glasses. Dye will begin his role as chief design officer at Meta on December 31, with a major focus on redesigning Meta's consumer products using AI. Dye will be joined at Meta by Billy Sorrentino, another senior member of Apple's design team. Meta's existing design leaders, Joshua To, Jason Rubin and Peter Bristol, will now report to Dye. Also read: Apple iPhone 16e price drops by over Rs 10,400 on Amazon, check details Apple will replace Dye with longtime designer Stephen Lemay. The company confirmed the change to Bloomberg, with CEO Tim Cook saying, "Steve Lemay has played a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999." "He has always set an extraordinarily high bar for excellence and embodies Apple's culture of collaboration and creativity." Also read: Motorola Edge 50 Pro price drops by over Rs 13,800 on Amazon, check details Dye's departure adds to a series of senior exits at Apple. In recent weeks, Apple has seen the retirement of longtime chief operating officer Jeff Williams, the exit of AI chief John Giannandrea, and the retirement of former hardware chief Dan Riccio. Reports also indicate that several remaining executives, including Cook himself, are approaching typical retirement age and evaluating their future plans.