Tech giant Apple has made a major shift in its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy by replacing the leader of the Siri team. According to Bloomberg, John Giannandrea, who had been leading Siri and Apple’s AI division for years, has been removed from his position. Taking his place is Mike Rockwell, the executive behind the development of Vision Pro. This move is seen as part of Apple’s push to accelerate its progress in AI.
Siri’s AI Upgrades Face Delays
This leadership change comes shortly after Apple announced delays in its AI-powered Siri upgrades. Initially expected to be released this year, Apple’s new generative AI features have now been pushed to 2025.
Following the delay, internal discussions at Apple became increasingly critical of the AI team’s progress. Reports indicate that senior Apple executive Robby Walker described the situation as a "grim picture," highlighting concerns over the team's struggles.
These developments suggest that Apple has not been able to make the expected advancements in Siri’s AI capabilities and is now taking a more aggressive approach.
Apple May Integrate AI with Augmented Reality
The appointment of Mike Rockwell as the new head of the Siri team signals Apple’s intention to strengthen the connection between artificial intelligence and augmented reality (AR). Given his experience leading Vision Pro, Rockwell is now tasked with enhancing Siri’s AI infrastructure and capabilities.
Meanwhile, Rockwell’s former role in Vision Pro development will be taken over by Paule Meade from Apple’s hardware engineering team. This transition underscores Apple’s broader transformation in both AI and AR technologies.
A New Era for Apple’s AI Ambitions
Apple is clearly restructuring its AI strategy in an effort to make Siri a more competitive and advanced assistant.
The big question remains: Will these changes help Apple catch up in the AI race?
One thing is certain—Apple is making AI a core part of its future products.