Apple has appointed researcher Amar Subramanya as its new Vice President (VP) of AI, replacing John Giannandrea, AI chief.
- Under the new structure, Amar Subramanya will report to the company’s software engineering head, Craig Federighi, and lead key areas including foundation models, machine-learning research, and AI safety and evaluation, critical components of Apple’s AI strategy.
- Meanwhile, Giannandrea, who joined Apple in 2018 to lead its AI and ML strategy, will step aside from daily operations. He will continue as an adviser until his planned retirement in spring 2026, even though many of his former responsibilities are being redistributed to other senior executives.
Who is Amar Subramanya
Amar Subramanya brings to Apple a deep pedigree in AI and technology.
He recently served as Corporate Vice President of AI at Microsoft, having joined the tech giant in mid-2025. Before that, he spent roughly 16 years at Google, notably leading engineering for Google’s Gemini AI assistant, a role that had him at the forefront of natural-language AI systems. His background combines deep technical research with real-world product deployment, a profile that Apple now bets will help accelerate its AI ambitions.
Apple’s AI transformation happens at a challenging moment: the company’s flagship AI push, branded Apple Intelligence, has struggled to match the pace of rivals in delivering standout generative-AI features. For example, advances to its voice assistant Siri, once touted as a major part of Apple’s AI vision, have faced repeated delays.
By bringing in Amar Subramanya, with his proven record at Google and Microsoft, Apple is signalling urgency to reposition itself more competitively in the AI race.
Under the restructuring, Apple also redistributed teams previously under Giannandrea: some are being moved to senior leaders like Sabih Khan (COO) and Eddy Cue (SVP, Services), to better align with other business areas.
Apple’s move underscores how big players are scrambling to attract top AI talent and reconfigure their leadership, especially as generative AI continues reshaping consumer expectations across devices and services.
Also Read: Apple Unveils 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5chip, Next Big Leap for AI on Mac
