Apple Appoints Amar Subramanya as New Vice President of AI Amid Push to Accelerate Innovation

Apple has appointed veteran artificial intelligence researcher Amar Subramanya as its new Vice President of AI, a significant move as the company works to strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive AI landscape. Subramanya replaces longtime AI chief John Giannandrea, who will remain as an adviser until his planned retirement in spring next year.

The leadership change comes at a time when Apple is under pressure to accelerate its AI strategy. While competitors like Samsung Electronics and other major tech players have quickly integrated advanced AI features into their devices, Apple has been viewed as slower to adopt similar innovations. The company’s delay in rolling out key AI enhancements to Siri, now expected in 2026, has contributed to this perception.

Subramanya brings extensive experience to Apple’s AI division. Before joining Apple, he served as Corporate Vice President of AI at Microsoft, where he contributed to several core initiatives in the company’s rapidly expanding AI ecosystem. Prior to his work at Microsoft, he spent 16 years at Google, holding influential roles including Head of Engineering for the Gemini assistant, giving him deep expertise in developing foundation models and large-scale machine learning systems.

In his new role, Subramanya will oversee critical areas such as Apple Foundation Models and machine learning research, reporting directly to software chief Craig Federighi. His appointment reflects Apple’s renewed focus on advancing its AI capabilities and addressing internal concerns, including reports that CEO Tim Cook had begun to question Giannandrea’s ability to deliver on next-generation AI products.

With Subramanya’s arrival, Apple aims to accelerate development, regain competitive momentum, and position its ecosystem for the next wave of AI-driven features and user experiences.