Apple loses more AI researchers and Siri executives in recent departures

issued Saturday, January 31, 2026 · 3:22 p.m.

[LOS ANGELES] In addition to the Siri executive, Apple has lost at least four more artificial intelligence (AI) researchers in recent weeks, with staffers heading to employers such as MetaPlatform and Google DeepMind.

Recent departures include Yinfei Yang, Haoxuan You, Bailin Wang, and Zirui Wang. Mr. Yang has left to start a new company, and Mr. Yu and Beilin Wang have joined Meta, sources said. You will be transferred to the company’s superintelligence research department, and Wang Bailin will be working on meta-recommendations, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the move has not been announced.

The departure highlights the continued turmoil within Apple’s AI division. The company has struggled to catch up with its peers in the AI ​​race, and its decision to outsource some technology to Alphabet Inc.’s Google has worried staff. In recent months, the company has been suffering from an exodus of talent, particularly from its AI division.

In the case of Zirui Wang, the researcher is part of Google DeepMind, helping Apple build core AI models that power new features. This includes the technology behind an upgraded version of the Siri voice assistant that will be released this year.

In another previously unreported development, Apple executive Stuart Bowers has also left for Google DeepMind. He was one of the company’s most senior executives working on Siri.

Bowers was a top leader on Apple’s failed self-driving car project before becoming one of the managers responsible for turning around the company’s voice assistant. He was given an expanded role last year to work on Siri’s ability to determine how to respond to users. In that role, he reported to new Siri chief Mike Rockwell.

Spokespeople for Apple, Google and Meta declined to comment.

Apple’s AI ventures have contributed to the stock’s slump this year, even as the company’s revenue has reached new heights. The company reported massive revenue on Thursday, including more than $85 billion in iPhone sales. Still, a lack of compelling AI breakthroughs and a continued exodus of top talent remain major challenges, complicating the company’s efforts to rebuild.

The defection follows a major reorganization of Apple’s AI efforts last year. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has fired longtime AI chief John Gianandrea and handed over responsibility to software chief Craig Federighi. Apple also hired Amar Subramanya, a former Google and Microsoft AI executive, to oversee part of the organization.

The latest departures are from Apple’s Foundation Models (AFM) team, which develops the foundational technology behind the Apple Intelligence platform. The group has faced increasing scrutiny following repeated delays for the new Siri and the muted reception to Apple’s current AI capabilities. During the summer, the team lost former leader Luomin Pan to Meta. It is currently run by AI researcher Zhifeng Chen.

Until late last year, the AFM team was overseen by former Google executive Daphne Luong. She was removed along with Gianandrea and remained at Apple without any operational responsibilities, reporting to him. Chen and Apple’s AI research and testing team now report to Subramanya.

The company is preparing two new versions of Siri. One is a short-term update that uses your personal data to answer your questions. The other is a more ambitious overhaul for later this year, built around a chatbot-style interface.

Both versions run on a new architecture that leverages a model developed by the Google team. Apple has lost more than a dozen AI researchers in the past six months, with many of the departures stemming from the company’s decision to outsource some of its technology.

Asked Thursday why Apple chose to use Google, Cook said it would provide “the most capable foundation” for Apple’s AI models.

“Thanks to our collaboration, we believe we can unlock a lot of experience and innovate in important ways,” he said on a post-earnings conference call with analysts.

The company continues to rely on its own model for on-device Apple Intelligence functionality. Additionally, unlimited reliance on external partners is unlikely given the competitive stakes of the AI ​​race and the need to provide unique experiences. bloomberg