Apple has lost yet another high-profile executive to Meta. Frank Chu, who led Apple’s AI efforts in cloud infrastructure, training, and search, has officially joined Meta. Chu marks the sixth Apple executive to move over in recent months, continuing a trend many describe as an “AI brain drain.”
Meta’s Costly AI Bet
Meta has aggressively recruited top AI talent from Apple and other tech companies since June, offering lucrative pay packages. The company also brought in Ruoming Pang, Tom Gunter, Mark Lee, Bowen Zhang, and Yun Zhu from Apple.
However, Meta’s hiring spree is slowing down. Reports suggest the company has stopped hiring for its AI teams after spending heavily without immediate breakthroughs. Meta’s ambitious goal of achieving artificial superintelligence remains far from reality. Its earlier pivot to the metaverse also ended in disappointment, raising questions about whether its latest gamble will succeed.
Apple’s Different AI Strategy
While Meta invests in long-term AI projects, Apple continues to focus on practical, privacy-first applications. Its “Apple Intelligence” tools aim to enhance user experience without compromising security.
Despite the executive departures, Apple’s AI efforts remain robust. The company employs far more than six leaders in the space, meaning its initiatives are unlikely to be derailed. A major milestone is expected in early 2026, when Apple plans to launch a large language model-powered Siri.
Looking Ahead
The wave of departures highlights the competitive nature of AI recruitment across Silicon Valley. For Apple, the challenge lies in retaining talent while continuing to expand its user-focused AI strategy. For Meta, the question is whether high spending and bold hiring moves can deliver on its promise of breakthrough AI advancements.
As both companies take different paths, the battle over artificial intelligence leadership is set to intensify.
