Apple has seen several recent departures from its AI ranks. Some of the exits have drawn broad attention because the roles were central to Apple plans for a new Siri that uses large language models and web search. Reuters and other outlets have reported that multiple senior AI staff have moved to Meta or other firms in recent months.
Executive leaves Apple
Ke Yang had been tapped to lead a team often called AKI. The team works on the answer engine that will let Siri use web-based knowledge in replies. Bloomberg and a range of news outlets say Yang took the role only weeks before he decided to leave.
Apple will place the AKI team under Benoit Dupin following Yangs departure. Dupin is a deputy to John Giannandrea in Apple AI and machine learning. This change aims to keep the project moving while Apple sorts leadership. The reporting so far does not show a change to public launch plans.
Ke Yang reported to John Giannandrea inside Apple. He had led the search-related work inside AKI before his brief time as the full head of the group. Apple and Meta declined to comment in early reports. News outlets that cover Silicon Valley cite people with knowledge of the matter.
What this means
Apple has not confirmed any delay to its roadmap for the revamped Siri. Public reports still expect a broad Siri upgrade powered by large language models in early 2026. That timeline now sits in a more uncertain context because of the recent exits. MacRumors and others have tracked the expected launch window and its link to the AKI work.
Meta has been actively hiring senior AI staff across many firms. The company has moved quickly to expand teams that work on large-scale models and related research. According to Bloomberg, say Meta offered generous packages to attract top people. This hiring strategy helps explain why multiple Apple staff members chose to move. Axios and other outlets covered the wider hiring push by Meta this month.
