In a significant talent acquisition move, Apple has recruited at least 36 AI experts from Google since 2018, following the hire of John Giannandrea, a former Google executive, to lead its AI initiatives. This information, derived from a Financial Times report which examined various LinkedIn profiles, highlights Apple’s aggressive strategy in bolstering its AI capabilities.
Apple traditionally operates its primary AI operations from California and Seattle. However, the tech giant has expanded its footprint to Zurich, Switzerland, where it has set up a secretive lab known as the “Vision Lab”. The choice of Zurich is influenced by Apple’s previous acquisitions of local AI startups like FaceShift, which specialized in virtual reality, and Fashwell, known for image recognition technology.
The secretive European lab plays a critical role in Apple’s ongoing research into technologies similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This includes exploring advanced AI models that can process both textual and visual inputs to deliver sophisticated responses. Such efforts align with Apple’s long-term investment in neural networks and artificial intelligence, which began over a decade ago with the development of Siri.
Notably, Apple’s leading AI group is now home to several prominent former Google specialists. John Giannandrea, who once led Google Brain, now oversees Apple’s AI strategy.
Samy Bengio, another significant hire from Google, serves as the senior director of AI and ML research. Additionally, Ruoming Pang, who also joined Apple from Google, directs the company’s “Foundation Models” team, focusing on large language models.
In 2016, Apple’s acquisition of Perceptual Machines — an AI company specializing in generative AI for image detection, founded by Ruslan Salakhutdinov — further reinforced its AI portfolio. Salakhutdinov, a notable academic in neural networks, has expressed a cautious approach to AI deployment, emphasizing the importance of reliability in AI responses.
The fruits of these labors are expected to be unveiled soon, with iOS 18 rumored to incorporate new AI-driven features across various Apple services including Siri, Apple Music, and more. These enhancements are anticipated to leverage Apple’s on-device LLMs, although collaborations with other tech giants such as Google, OpenAI, and Baidu are also under discussion.
Apple’s advancements in AI are poised to be showcased at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10, where iOS 18 is set to make its debut, potentially setting new benchmarks for the integration of AI within consumer technology.
