Apple’s AI leadership team has undergone significant change in recent months, following the December departure of longtime machine learning chief John Giannandrea. Giannandrea, who joined from Google in 2018, will remain in an advisory role until this spring. Filling Giannandrea’s shoes is Amar Subramanya, a former Microsoft and Google executive who joined Apple in December as vice president of AI, reporting to software chief Craig Federighi. The hiring reflects Apple’s effort to sharpen its AI operations as it competes with software startup rivals such as Google and OpenAI.
CEO Tim Cook continues to lead Apple’s broader AI strategy, which focuses on device intelligence, underlying models and targeted discovery, he told analysts on an earnings call in October. Cook also expanded external partnerships, including an integration with OpenAI that allows iOS users to access ChatGPT through Siri, and a multi-year agreement with Google to include Gemini models in future software updates.
Despite being an early market leader in voice assistance with Siri, Apple is now considered a laggard in the AI race. Cook has consistently positioned privacy and data protection as a key differentiator for Apple, he said on the company’s recent earnings call.
Apple’s AI leadership team is much smaller than that of OpenAI and Anthropic, bolstered mainly by two top software executives. But as the iPhone maker moves to integrate AI into its entire ecosystem, the heads of its hardware and services are more important to watch. Here are five executives, other than CEO Tim Cook, who are shaping Apple’s AI strategy.
Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering
Craig Federighi reports directly to Tim Cook as senior vice president of software engineering. After the AI leadership shakeup in December, Apple announced that Federighi would take on increased oversight of its AI efforts.
Federighi joined Apple through its 1997 acquisition of NeXT, the company Steve Jobs founded after leaving Apple. He left in 1999 to become chief technology officer at Ariba, then returned to Apple in 2009. Later, he took responsibility for iOS and macOS engineering. Today, he leads the development of the next generation of Siri and Apple Intelligence.
Amar Subramanya, vice president of AI
Amar Subramanya is a new face at Apple, but not in the world of AI. He joined the company in December as vice president of AI, succeeding John Giannandrea. He previously held senior AI engineering roles at Google and Microsoft and brings experience working on large-scale machine learning applications.
Subramanya reports directly to Federighi. His efforts include advancing Apple’s foundational models, expanding machine learning research and strengthening the company’s efforts to improve AI across products and platforms.
John Giannandrea, senior advisor
Giannandrea joined Apple’s executive team in 2018 after leading search and AI at Google. He was the company’s head of machine learning and AI strategies. His current role focuses on supporting a smooth leadership transition.
Earlier in his career, he held senior engineering roles at Google and worked at Netscape during the early days of the Internet.
Sabih Khan, chief operating officer
Sabih Khan has been with Apple since 1995, rising through the ranks on the company’s operations side. Last year, he was named CEO after the retirement of Jeff Williams. He now reports directly to Cook and oversees Apple’s global supply chain, procurement and manufacturing operations.
Although not part of Apple’s core AI leadership team, Khan plays a key role in guiding the company’s infrastructure and capabilities for its hardware needs. He directs Apple’s AI data functions again server production, programs previously led by Giannandrea.
Eddy Cue, senior vice president of services
Eddy Cue has been with Apple since 1989 and has been instrumental in developing key services including the Apple Online Store in 1998, the iTunes Store in 2003 and the App Store in 2008. He now serves as senior vice president of services, overseeing businesses such as Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Pay and Apple Podcasts.
Although Cue is not part of Apple’s core AI leadership team, his role has expanded since Giannandrea’s departure. His division integrates AI features across Apple’s ecosystem of services, including tools designed to improve discovery, recommendations and user experience across front-end and back-end systems.
