Apple suffers another major jolt in AI race as Siri project head Ke Yang exits to join Meta

Tech News:  Apple has been working for years to improve Siri and make it more advanced like ChatGPT. To speed up this effort, Apple created a special Answers, Knowledge and Information (AKI) group. Ke Yang, who was leading the team, was given a promotion just weeks ago. His task was to make Siri smarter and more useful for users. However, Yang has now resigned and decided to join Meta. His exit is seen as a major roadblock in Apple’s AI journey.

Plans for Siri upgrade hit

Ke Yang’s team was supposed to deliver a major upgrade for Siri by March next year. Apple had planned to showcase Siri as a direct competitor to leading AI chatbots. Yang was reporting to the senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, highlighting the importance of his role. With his departure, doubts have now emerged about whether Apple can meet its target timeline. Industry experts believe Apple’s AI strategy has been weakened at a crucial moment.

Meta strengthens AI hiring drive

On the other side, Meta has been aggressively expanding its artificial intelligence team. Mark Zuckerberg himself is closely monitoring the recruitment process. In the past few months, Meta has hired over 50 AI experts from leading tech firms. The company is building a strong foundation for its “superintelligence labs.” Meta has been picking talent from Apple, OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Anthropic. By attracting these experts, Meta is strengthening its dominance in the AI race.

Top executives leaving Apple

Apple’s AI struggles are not new. Over the past year, many senior executives have left the company. This trend has raised questions about Apple’s ability to retain top talent. The departure of Ke Yang only adds to the crisis. For a company already behind in the AI competition, losing its Siri project head is a major embarrassment. Analysts warn that Apple could fall further behind its rivals if the brain drain continues.

Meta’s bold AI ambitions

Meta, meanwhile, has been making clear moves to become a global leader in AI. It is investing heavily in advanced research and building large teams of specialists. Recently, Meta managed to hire Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machine Lab, despite competition from other companies. This bold hiring strategy signals Meta’s determination to dominate the AI market. While Apple is struggling to hold its team together, Meta is rapidly becoming the go-to destination for AI talent.

Impact on Siri’s future

For Apple, Siri has always been a flagship product. But it has often been criticized for lagging behind competitors like Alexa and Google Assistant. The company’s plan to make Siri smarter with AI was supposed to change this perception. However, with Yang’s exit, the future of this plan looks uncertain. Users expecting a next-generation Siri might have to wait longer. Apple will now need a new leader to take charge and restore confidence in its AI strategy.

AI race intensifies globally

The departure of Ke Yang highlights the fierce competition in the AI world. Big tech companies are racing to secure the best minds and launch the most powerful tools. Apple’s struggles show how difficult it is to stay ahead in this fast-moving sector. Meta’s aggressive approach shows that it wants nothing less than global leadership in AI. For Apple, the challenge is to rebuild its team quickly before losing more ground in the AI revolution.