Apple is entering a new phase in its artificial intelligence roadmap as John Giannandrea, the company’s senior vice president for Machine Learning and AI Strategy, prepares to retire. After months of speculation and internal restructuring, Apple confirmed that Giannandrea will transition to an advisory role until spring 2026.
A Strategic Leadership Change
Meanwhile, Apple has appointed Amar Subramanya, a former Microsoft AI executive, to take over Giannandrea’s responsibilities. Subramanya will report directly to Craig Federighi, the senior vice president of Software Engineering. As a result, his new title reflects a more concentrated focus on Apple Intelligence and future AI integrations across Apple’s ecosystem.
Additionally, Apple is redistributing parts of Giannandrea’s organization. According to the document, teams are shifting to COO Sabih Khan and Services chief Eddy Cue to create clearer alignment across Apple’s software, hardware, and services divisions. This move, therefore, signals Apple’s intention to streamline its AI operations.
Cook Highlights Giannandrea’s Legacy
Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized Giannandrea’s influence on page 2 of the document, noting that he “helped Apple continue to innovate and enrich the lives of our users.” Moreover, Cook praised Subramanya’s “extraordinary AI expertise” and welcomed him to Federighi’s leadership team.
Federighi, who already guides many of Apple’s major software initiatives, will continue expanding the company’s AI vision. Furthermore, he will oversee efforts to bring a more personalized version of Siri to users next year. This development reinforces Apple’s commitment to integrating AI deeper into everyday experiences.
A Veteran AI Leader Joins Apple
Subramanya brings extensive industry experience. Previously, he served as Microsoft’s corporate vice president of AI. Before that, he spent 16 years at Google and led engineering for Google Gemini. Consequently, his background positions him to drive Apple’s next wave of machine learning innovations, foundation model research, and AI safety systems.
Ultimately, this leadership transition marks a turning point for Apple. With Giannandrea stepping back and Subramanya stepping in, the company is now steering its AI strategy toward a more unified and forward-focused direction.
