Apple Faces Leadership Change in AI Division
Apple will soon bid farewell to one of its leading artificial intelligence executives, Robby Walker, who is expected to leave the company next month. This news comes from a Bloomberg report that cites sources familiar with the situation.
Walker has been with Apple since 2013 and has held the position of senior director in the company’s Answers, Information, and Knowledge team since April. Before this role, he was in charge of the Siri voice assistant, but that responsibility was handed over to Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief, earlier this year.
Growing Concerns in AI Development
Walker’s departure comes at a time when Apple is under increasing pressure regarding its cautious approach to artificial intelligence. Competing companies have quickly advanced their AI technologies, while Apple’s efforts, including its integration of ChatGPT, have been slower to roll out. A significant update to Siri has also been postponed until 2026.
In recent months, Apple has experienced a wave of departures among AI specialists, with several moving to Meta Platforms. Notable exits include Ruoming Pang, who led Apple’s AI models, as well as researchers Mark Lee and Tom Gunter, all of whom have joined the Superintelligence Labs division at Meta.
There were earlier reports that Apple CEO Tim Cook had reassigned oversight of Siri to Mike Rockwell, the vice president of the Vision Products Group. This shift was made amid concerns about the performance of AI chief John Giannandrea.
Recent Product Launches and Future Plans
At its annual product launch last week, Apple introduced new iPhone models, including a slimmer version called the iPhone Air. However, details on how Apple plans to keep pace with competitors like Google, which recently showcased its Gemini AI technology, were not clearly outlined.
In other news, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new feature for Apple smartwatches that helps detect early signs of high blood pressure. This feature, which was announced during Apple’s September 9 event, will be available on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, and higher-end Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 models by the end of September. Apple aims to make this feature accessible in approximately 150 countries and regions, including the U.S. and the European Union.
