Apple AI chief steps down following Siri setbacks | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Apple AI chief steps down following Siri setbacksComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AITechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechApple AI chief steps down following Siri setbacksApple is replacing John Giannandrea with a former VP at Microsoft AI.Apple is replacing John Giannandrea with a former VP at Microsoft AI.by Emma RothCloseEmma RothNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma RothDec 1, 2025, 10:39 PM UTCLinkShareImage: Cath Virginia / The VergeEmma RothCloseEmma RothPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position, according to an announcement on Monday. The change comes as Apple struggles to get its AI-powered Siri back on track after delaying its launch earlier this year.Now, Amar Subramanya will serve as Apple’s vice president of AI. Subramanya spent 16 years at Google before joining Microsoft as the corporate VP of AI in July. While at Apple, Subramanya will oversee the development of the company’s AI models, machine learning research, as well as AI safety and evaluation.Giannandrea, who joined Apple in 2018, will continue working as an advisor before retiring in the spring of 2026. In March, Apple pushed back the release of a more personalized Siri, admitting that “it’s taking longer than we thought.” Bloomberg later reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook had “lost confidence” in Giannandrea’s ability to lead the company’s AI and Siri team, leading him to put Vision Pro leader Mike Rockwell in charge.Apple says Subramanya’s experience in integrating AI research into products “will be important to Apple’s ongoing innovation and future Apple Intelligence features.” As part of the shift, Subramanya will report to Apple software SVP Craig Federighi. Apple expects to launch its upgraded Siri next spring, with a report from Bloomberg suggesting that the company will power some of the assistant’s new features with a custom version of Google’s Gemini AI model.“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,” Cook says in a statement. “In addition to growing his leadership team and AI responsibilities with Amar’s joining, Craig has been instrumental in driving our AI efforts, including overseeing our work to bring a more personalized Siri to users next year.”Developing…Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Emma RothCloseEmma RothNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma RothAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AIAppleCloseApplePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AppleNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularNetflix kills casting from phonesThe Nintendo Switch 2 got its first-ever discount during Cyber MondayThese great Cyber Monday tech deals will likely be gone tomorrowData centers in Oregon might be helping to drive an increase in cancer and miscarriagesThe absolute best Cyber Monday deals you can already shopThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Apple’s strategic repositioning within the burgeoning artificial intelligence landscape is underscored by a significant leadership change, reflecting challenges surrounding the company’s ambitious AI initiatives, particularly the development of its Siri voice assistant. John Giannandrea, Apple’s long-serving head of AI, is stepping down from his position, marking a notable shift in direction for the technology giant. This departure follows a period of setbacks, specifically the delayed release of a more personalized Siri experience, an admission made by Apple that the project’s timeline was proving more protracted than initially anticipated. Bloomberg’s reporting indicated that CEO Tim Cook had lost confidence in Giannandrea’s leadership regarding the AI and Siri team's overall strategy. This decision culminated in a strategic shift, placing Mike Rockwell, the head of the Vision Pro project, in a leadership role, highlighting a prioritization of augmented reality endeavors over immediate advancements in general AI.

The incoming VP of AI, Amar Subramanya, brings a valuable skillset to the role. Subramanya’s extensive experience, spanning 16 years at Google, coupled with his recent tenure at Microsoft as corporate VP of AI, suggests a sophisticated understanding of integrating advanced AI research into tangible product development. Furthermore, Subramanya’s appointment signals an emphasis on the practical application of AI technology, aligning with Apple’s broader strategy of embedding AI features within its existing product ecosystem. Apple’s statement emphasizes Subramanya’s abilities in this regard, stating his experience will be "important to Apple’s ongoing innovation and future Apple Intelligence features.” Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of software, will oversee Subramanya’s activities, reinforcing the collaborative approach within Apple’s leadership.

This transition isn’t solely about personnel; it represents a fundamental recalibration of Apple’s AI strategy. The company’s stated intention is to launch an upgraded Siri next spring, hinting at a renewed focus and possibly leveraging elements of Google’s Gemini AI model – a strategic move suggesting Apple recognizes the competitive landscape and seeks to integrate cutting-edge technologies. The move is framed within Apple’s broader commitment to AI, with CEO Tim Cook stating that Subramanya’s arrival, alongside the team's ongoing work, will be “instrumental” in driving Apple Intelligence efforts. This indicates a move toward a more targeted and potentially commercially viable AI strategy, rather than a broad, ambitious undertaking. The restructuring highlights a recognition of the considerable challenge in achieving rapid, transformative advancements in artificial intelligence and shifts the company’s focus toward a more measured and pragmatic approach.