Apple’s AI Leadership Shakeup Continues as Search Strategist Robby Walker Departs

Apple faces another setback in its artificial intelligence ambitions with the impending departure of Robby Walker, a key architect of the company’s search and AI strategy. The exit follows a reorganization of Siri’s leadership and a broader talent drain from Apple’s AI division.

Walker joined Apple through the 2013 acquisition of his startup Cue and later spearheaded development of an AI-powered search system aimed at competing with ChatGPT. His team’s work was slated for a 2025 launch before oversight shifted to software chief Craig Federighi earlier this year.

The departure adds to an exodus of AI specialists from Cupertino. Recent months have seen defections to Meta Platforms, including Ruoming Pang from Apple’s AI models team and robotics head Jian Zhang. The talent flight raises questions about Apple’s ability to compete in generative AI against rivals aggressively deploying the technology.