Apple has lost another key Apple AI executive as Ke Yang, head of the Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI) team, departs for Meta Platforms. Yang was recently appointed to lead Apple’s effort to develop a ChatGPT-like AI-driven web search feature for Siri. This marks the latest high-profile exit from Apple’s artificial intelligence division, with around a dozen AI team members leaving for Meta or other companies in recent months.
Yang had been with Apple since 2019 and was seen as the most prominent Apple AI executive working on the new Siri initiative. He reported directly to John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice president of AI and machine learning. Yang’s team was developing features to make Siri more conversational by adding the ability to pull information from the web, similar to ChatGPT’s capabilities.
The AKI team focuses on creating a world-knowledge engine that will allow users to search the web through an Apple-developed large language model. This project is central to Siri’s planned overhaul, which is expected to launch in early 2026. With Yang’s departure, Apple has appointed Benoit Dupin as his replacement, though it remains unclear how this transition will affect the project timeline.
Meta has intensified Silicon Valley’s AI talent war through aggressive recruitment strategies aimed at challenging rivals including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. The company has previously recruited other prominent Apple AI executives such as Robby Walker and Ruoming Pang. Meta’s hiring spree reflects the massive investments tech giants are making in artificial intelligence as they race toward developing superintelligence capabilities.
The exodus of talent raises questions about Apple’s AI strategy and internal dynamics. However, there are no confirmed reports indicating that these departures have significantly affected Apple’s AI development efforts or release schedules. The situation could reflect normal turnover as Apple’s AI initiative solidifies, or it may indicate that Meta is simply offering more competitive compensation packages.
Industry observers note that the entire AI sector is experiencing upheaval, with companies struggling to meet ambitious promises and shifting priorities. Apple’s measured approach to building a safe, private, and secure AI ecosystem may ultimately prove advantageous as the industry matures. The company continues to emphasize privacy and on-device processing as key differentiators for its AI features.
Despite the leadership changes, Apple remains committed to its AI roadmap. The revamped LLM-backed Siri is still scheduled to arrive in early 2026 alongside a new Apple Home product. Apple Intelligence features continue rolling out gradually across compatible devices, though the pace has been slower than some analysts initially expected.
The competitive landscape for AI talent reflects the strategic importance companies place on artificial intelligence capabilities. As tech giants pour billions into AI research and development, securing top engineering and executive talent has become increasingly crucial. Meta’s success in attracting Apple AI executives demonstrates the fierce competition for experienced leaders who can drive AI innovation.
Apple’s response to these departures will be closely watched by industry observers. The company must balance retaining key talent while maintaining its distinctive approach to AI development that prioritizes user privacy and security. Whether Apple’s “slow and steady” strategy will ultimately prevail in the AI race remains to be seen.
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