"Falling Behind in the AI Race"... Apple Replaces Head of AI

by Lee Seunghyeong

Published 02 Dec.2025 13:58(KST)

CNBC, a U.S. business media outlet, reported on December 1 (local time) that John Giannandrea, Senior Vice President who has led Apple's artificial intelligence (AI) division, will be replaced.

Reuters Yonhap News

According to CNBC, Apple officially announced Giannandrea's departure on the same day. Amar Subramanya, an AI researcher who previously worked at Google's AI organization DeepMind and at Microsoft (MS), has been appointed as his successor.

CNBC described the change in Apple's AI leadership as "the most notable reshuffle within Apple's AI organization since last year's launch of the AI system 'Apple Intelligence'." CNBC also pointed out that this change comes as Apple is being evaluated as lagging behind its competitors in the AI field.

Giannandrea, formerly of Google, joined Apple in 2018 and has overseen all AI operations, including Apple's voice assistant Siri. However, as Apple has been perceived as falling behind in the AI race, there had been speculation that Giannandrea's position within the company was weakening.

Apple had planned to upgrade Siri into a personalized AI assistant, but the launch has been postponed.

Apple stated that Subramanya will serve as Vice President of AI and will report to Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering. Subramanya will lead teams responsible for foundational models, research, and AI safety. The company also announced that other teams previously under Giannandrea will be reassigned, with some moving under Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sabih Khan, among others.

Giannandrea will remain as an advisor until his retirement in the spring of 2026.