Apple announces leadership change to strengthen Siri and AI development

The move highlights Apple's strong AI focus and commitment to advancing innovation, aiming to compete with AI leaders like OpenAI and Google in the evolving market

In what may be called a significant Apple leadership change, the Cupertino-based tech major has appointed Kim Vorrath, a veteran executive with 36 years of experience at the company, to lead its AI and machine learning division. Vorrath, who most recently oversaw the software rollout for Apple’s Vision Pro headset, will now report directly to John Giannandrea, Apple’s AI chief.

This move reflects the iPhone-maker’s strong AI focus and its commitment to driving forward AI innovation at Apple, a field where it is looking to make strides against competitors like OpenAI and Google, who are currently leading the charge in the AI space. 

Also Read : Apple to pay millions over Siri privacy breach

Boosting Siri development with key strategic moves

Despite ambitious goals, Apple has faced significant hurdles in Siri development and AI advancements. Its voice assistant has struggled to compete with rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. A major Siri update designed to improve its contextual understanding and functionality is expected only with the release of iOS 18.4, causing concerns about the speed of Siri updates.

Furthermore, Apple’s AI-powered news summary feature, which launched with high hopes, will be temporarily paused in the iOS 18.3 update due to criticisms over inaccuracies, highlighting the need for stronger AI innovation at Apple.

Kim Vorrath’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to reinvigorate Siri development and accelerate AI innovation at Apple. Her extensive experience, including pivotal roles in the original iPhone software development, positions her well to drive forward Apple’s AI initiatives.

According to an internal memo from Giannandrea, the focus for the AI team in 2025 will be on overhauling Siri’s infrastructure and advancing Apple’s in-house AI models. This restructuring is aimed at positioning Apple as a leader in AI-driven consumer products and ensuring that Apple Siri meets the growing demands for smarter, more intuitive voice assistants.

Also Read: Apple pauses AI-generated news feature after errors in alerts