Apple has announced a major leadership change in its artificial intelligence division, with veteran engineer Amar Subramanya set to replace John Giannandrea as head of AI.
Giannandrea, who has led Apple’s Machine Learning and AI Strategy for seven years, will retire in spring 2026 but will remain with the company as an advisor during his transition.
Subramanya, formerly a corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft, joins Apple as vice president of AI. He brings extensive experience from a 16-year tenure at Google, where he led engineering for the Gemini digital assistant.
The move comes as Apple faces growing pressure over perceived delays in AI development compared to competitors.
Earlier this year, the company postponed the release of an upgraded Siri digital assistant to 2026, while rivals including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI have been rapidly rolling out increasingly sophisticated AI models and features.
Apple’s appointment of Subramanya signals an intensified focus on strengthening its AI capabilities, particularly for its flagship iPhone devices, as the tech giant seeks to remain competitive in the fast-evolving artificial intelligence landscape.
