Apple Inc. is undergoing a significant leadership shift within its AI and robotics divisions. John Giannandrea, previously overseeing Apple's AI initiatives, will have his responsibilities adjusted, stepping away from managing the robotics department. This role will now be taken over by John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President, who will focus on hardware development for robotics projects.
This change aims to redistribute internal resources and accelerate project timelines. Last month, Giannandrea was removed from the Siri voice assistant project due to delays and performance issues, with Mike Rockwell now leading Siri's future developments. Despite this, Giannandrea remains in charge of most AI operations, albeit with a reduced team size, allowing for a more concentrated effort on foundational AI technologies and Siri enhancements.
Apple's AI and machine learning teams have faced challenges, with internal criticisms over project delays and a perceived lack of urgency. The potential disbanding of Giannandrea's team has been speculated, eight years after its formation. Apple's robotics division, led by Kevin Lynch, is now under Ternus's hardware expertise, signaling a push in robotics R&D.
Amid speculation about CEO Tim Cook's successor, Ternus emerges as a strong candidate. Apple's robotics initiatives include a desktop robot with a mechanical arm and a mobile robot capable of basic tasks. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests these projects are in early stages, with mass production unlikely before 2028.
