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Apple Sees New Exits Among AI Researchers and Siri Leadership

 

 

Apple Inc. has experienced a further wave of departures from its artificial intelligence division in recent weeks, including at least four AI researchers and a senior executive from its Siri team, according to a Bloomberg report on January 30, 2026. The employees are moving to competitors and other ventures as Apple continues to advance its AI initiatives and reorganize its internal teams.

 

Key Departures and Destinations

 

At least four researchers from Apple’s AI research groups have left the company, with their next steps spanning new startups and major technology firms. The departures include Yinfei Yang, Haoxuan You, Bailin Wang and Zirui Wang. Yang has left to establish a new company, while You and Bailin Wang have joined Meta Platforms Inc., with You joining its Superintelligence research arm and Wang working on recommendation systems. Zirui Wang has moved to Google’s DeepMind unit.

 

In addition to these researchers, Stuart Bowers, identified in the Bloomberg report as one of Apple’s most senior executives focused on Siri, has also departed for Google DeepMind. Bowers had expanded responsibilities within Siri’s engineering leadership and previously held a prominent role in Apple’s self-driving car project before shifting to the voice assistant team.

 

Employees familiar with the moves spoke on condition of anonymity because the transitions have not been publicly disclosed by the individuals or their new employers. Apple, Meta and Google DeepMind did not provide official comments in initial reports.

 

Organizational Context and Recent Changes

 

The departures occur amid ongoing restructuring within Apple’s AI and Siri operations. The company has undergone management changes over the past year, including a reorganization that affected teams responsible for foundational AI model development. Longtime AI chief John Giannandrea was relieved of certain duties late last year, with oversight responsibilities shifting within the software leadership.

 

The researchers who recently left were part of Apple’s Foundation Models (AFM) team, which is tasked with developing core technologies underlying the company’s Apple Intelligence platform. That group has faced scrutiny following delays in delivering major AI features and a muted market reception to some of Apple’s earlier AI enhancements. Earlier departures from the AFM team include former lead Ruoming Pang, who joined Meta Platforms Inc. last year.

 

Impact on Product Development and Strategy

 

Apple is preparing updates to its Siri voice assistant and broader AI offerings, including near-term enhancements and more ambitious overhauls scheduled for later releases. A forthcoming Siri update will be powered by externally developed technologies, and subsequent versions are expected to integrate advanced conversational capabilities. Although the company continues to develop these products, the recent exits highlight turnover among staff working on key aspects of Apple’s AI strategy.

 

The company reported strong financial results concurrently with these staff movements, including substantial iPhone sales, but its AI initiatives have drawn increased attention as competitors advance their technologies. Apple’s strategic choices regarding AI development and external partnerships have factored into organizational shifts and, according to various reports, contributed to talent flows within the sector.

 

Broader Talent Trends in Technology

 

The technology industry has seen heightened competition for AI expertise, with major firms and startups alike recruiting researchers and engineers. Apple’s recent departures add to a pattern of mobility among AI specialists across leading technology companies. Observers note that movements between firms and emerging ventures reflect both competitive pressures and evolving priorities in artificial intelligence research and productization.

 

Apple’s broader AI and Siri teams remain active in product development, even as leadership and research personnel transitions continue to shape the internal landscape.