Apple Appoints New AI Chief as Leadership Shift Intensifies

Apple has named Amar Subramanya as its incoming head of artificial intelligence, following the announced retirement of John Giannandrea, who has led the company’s machine learning and AI strategy for seven years.

Giannandrea will step down in spring 2026 and will remain as an advisor during the transition, according to the company.

Subramanya recently served as a corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft and previously spent 16 years at Google, where he oversaw engineering for the Gemini digital assistant. His appointment marks a significant leadership change as Apple faces mounting pressure to accelerate its AI capabilities.

The company has come under scrutiny for lagging behind major competitors in integrating advanced AI features into its products, including the iPhone. Apple has also postponed the launch of an upgraded Siri until 2026, further heightening concerns about its position in the global AI race.

Meanwhile, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and other leading technology firms continue to release advanced AI models and features, intensifying competition within the sector.