Hey Siri, Who is Amar Subramanya? Ex-Microsoft & Google Exec Tasked with Forming Apple’s AI Strategy

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John Giannandrea steps down, Apple turns to former Google and Microsoft veteran Amar Subramanya to lead its AI strategy amid ongoing struggles with Siri and Apple Intelligence.

Apple has named Amar Subramanya as its new Vice President of AI, following John Giannandrea’s decision to step down after leading the company’s AI efforts for seven years. Subramanya, a former Microsoft executive with 16 years at Google, brings a wealth of experience to Apple’s AI division, particularly in leading the engineering behind the Google Gemini Assistant. Sabih Khan and Eddy Cue will take on some of  Giannandrea’s expanded responsibilities.

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said, “We are thankful for the role John played in building and advancing our AI work, helping Apple continue to innovate and enrich the lives of our users.” He further added,

“AI has long been central to Apple’s strategy, and we are pleased to welcome Amar to Craig’s leadership team and to bring his extraordinary AI expertise to Apple. In addition to growing his leadership team and AI responsibilities with Amar’s joining, Craig has been instrumental in driving our AI efforts, including overseeing our work to bring a more personalized Siri to users next year.”

A Change in Apple Leadership Amid AI Struggles

Giannandrea, who has led Apple’s AI initiatives since 2018, is stepping down as part of a broader shift within the company’s AI strategy. The decision comes as Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI-powered response to the growing popularity of tools like ChatGPT, has faced numerous challenges. Since its debut in October 2024, the product’s performance has been less than stellar, with early reviews describing it as underwhelming. Issues, including inaccurate reporting by Apple Intelligence and a delayed Siri overhaul, have led to frustrations among users and analysts alike.

Giannandrea, who joined Apple from Google, had been at the forefront of the company’s AI and machine learning strategies, overseeing crucial developments such as Siri and the infrastructure behind Apple’s machine learning systems. His departure marks a new chapter for the company as it looks to sharpen its AI offerings.

Amar Subramanya: A Key Hire for Apple’s Future in AI

Subramanya’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to boost Apple’s AI capabilities and help it compete with rivals like Google and Microsoft.  Subramanya was integral in developing cutting-edge AI technologies, including the Gemini Assistant. His deep understanding of the AI landscape, gained through years of leading teams at Google, makes him an ideal candidate to help Apple refine its AI strategy and overcome its recent challenges.

Also, his experience is especially relevant as Apple looks to enhance its AI-driven products, including Siri. Reports suggest Apple is now leaning on Google’s Gemini technology to power the next iteration of Siri.

Moving forward, Amar will oversee key areas including Apple Foundation Models, Machine Learning Research, and AI Safety and Evaluation. These initiatives are critical to the company’s future in AI, as Apple continues to prioritize privacy and data security while striving to deliver more personalized AI-driven experiences for its users.