Leadership Transition
Apple has announced that its AI chief, John Giannandrea, will be retiring in the spring of 2026. Giannandrea, who has been instrumental in Apple’s AI efforts, will serve as an advisor until his departure.
Taking over his role will be Amar Subramanya, a former Microsoft AI researcher. Subramanya will join Apple as Vice President of AI and will report to Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering. He will oversee Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and AI Safety and Evaluation.
Most of the teams currently under Giannandrea’s leadership will be transferred to Sabih Khan and Eddy Cue.
Comments from Tim Cook
Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed gratitude for Giannandrea’s contributions, stating, “We are thankful for the role John played in building and advancing our AI work, helping Apple continue to innovate and enrich the lives of our users.”
Cook also welcomed Subramanya, saying, “AI has long been central to Apple’s strategy, and we are pleased to welcome Amar to Craig’s leadership team and to bring his extraordinary AI expertise to Apple.”
Future AI Strategy
Cook highlighted the importance of AI to Apple’s future, noting that Craig Federighi has been crucial in driving their AI efforts, including the development of a more personalized Siri expected to launch next year.
As Apple continues to invest in AI, the leadership change comes at a critical time. The company is focusing on enhancing its AI capabilities and integrating them more deeply into its products and services.
