Apple’s longtime AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down, with former Google and Microsoft veteran Amar Subramanya taking over as the company races to catch up in artificial intelligence.
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| Apple reshapes its AI leadership as John Giannandrea steps down and veteran AI engineer Amar Subramanya takes charge of the company’s foundation model and machine learning strategy. Image: CH |
Tech Desk — December 2, 2025:
Apple’s announcement that John Giannandrea, its senior vice president overseeing machine learning and AI strategy, will step down early next year marks a pivotal moment for the company as it faces mounting pressure to demonstrate it can keep pace in the artificial intelligence race. Giannandrea, who joined Apple in 2018 after helping lead AI efforts at Google, will remain as an advisor during his transition, but his departure comes at a sensitive time: rivals are pushing groundbreaking releases while Apple struggles to dispel perceptions that it has fallen behind.
The decision to appoint Amar Subramanya—a veteran AI leader with deep experience at both Microsoft and Google—reflects Apple’s recognition that it needs to accelerate its AI roadmap. Subramanya spent 16 years at Google, where he served as head of engineering for the Gemini digital assistant, before becoming a corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft. Apple is positioning his expertise as essential for advancing its foundation models, machine learning systems and upcoming Apple Intelligence features. His arrival signals an assertive attempt to rebuild internal momentum and strengthen Apple’s credibility in a rapidly evolving field.
Apple’s challenge is clear. While Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and others have been rolling out increasingly sophisticated AI models and platform integrations, Apple’s own AI progress has appeared slow and cautious. Its decision earlier this year to delay the release of a more capable Siri added to frustration among analysts and developers who view conversational AI as central to the next era of computing. Apple now promises a more personalised Siri next year, part of a broader initiative to embed generative AI across its ecosystem.
CEO Tim Cook has reiterated that AI is “central to Apple’s strategy,” emphasising that the company’s custom chips and hardware-software integration give it a competitive advantage once its AI systems mature. Subramanya will report to Craig Federighi, the senior vice president of Software Engineering, who has been leading efforts to modernise Siri and other intelligence-driven features. Cook praised both leaders, framing the transition as an opportunity to strengthen Apple’s long-term direction rather than a reactive move.
Still, the timing of the leadership change underscores the urgency Apple faces. The AI landscape is moving at breakneck speed, with competitors introducing features that threaten to reshape how people interact with devices, search the web and perform everyday tasks. Apple’s strategy—often criticised as cautious—must now deliver tangible advancements to retain user loyalty and keep developers engaged.
The path forward hinges on whether Subramanya can translate his experience into rapid, scalable progress inside Apple’s unique product ecosystem. If successful, the leadership shift could mark the start of a renewed AI vision. If not, Apple risks ceding even more ground in an industry that increasingly defines the future of personal technology.