Apple’s artificial intelligence division has lost another senior leader to Meta. Ke Yang, who led the Answers, Knowledge, and Information team within Apple’s AI group, has reportedly left the company to join Meta. This marks yet another high-profile departure from Apple’s growing AI unit in recent months.
Over a dozen Apple AI employees have recently moved to rival companies, including Meta. While some reports suggest internal unrest, others believe these changes may simply reflect the rapid competition in the AI industry.
Leadership Shifts and Project Impact
Yang was regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Apple’s effort to enhance Siri with large language model (LLM) capabilities similar to ChatGPT. His work focused on building a world-knowledge engine to improve Siri’s search and conversation performance.
Yang reported directly to Apple’s AI and machine learning chief, John Giannandrea, and will be replaced by Benoit Dupin. Apple has not commented publicly on the transition or its potential impact on ongoing AI projects
Industry Context and Apple’s Approach
Apple’s AI development has been unfolding at a slower pace compared to competitors like Meta and OpenAI. However, analysts note that Apple’s focus on user privacy, security, and reliability may offer long-term advantages once the initial AI frenzy settles.
Reports often portray Apple’s internal changes as signs of instability, but such turnover is common in fast-moving tech sectors. Experts suggest that Meta’s aggressive recruitment and higher compensation packages may also be influencing these shifts.
Apple’s Steady Strategy
Despite the recent exits, Apple continues to expand its AI ecosystem under the “Apple Intelligence” banner. The company remains committed to building safe, efficient, and privacy-focused AI tools integrated across its devices.
While Meta celebrates another hire, Apple seems undeterred. Its long-term AI vision—centered on user trust and sustainable progress—may still prove its strength in an industry racing for dominance.
