Apple Shakes Up AI Leadership, Splits Off Secret Robotics Team

Just weeks after transferring control of Siri to Apple’s AI chief John Giannandrea, the tech giant is making another strategic internal shift — this time stripping Giannandrea of oversight over a covert robotics project known as “Special Projects Group,” Bloomberg reports. The robotics team, primarily focused on home technology like a potential robot assistant and advanced table-top device, will now report to hardware executive Matt Costello. Additionally, key engineering leaders from the robotics initiative will now fall under Brian Lynch, a top hardware figure.

This move indicates a split in Apple’s AI ambitions: Giannandrea will now concentrate solely on generative AI, bolstering Apple’s efforts to catch up to rivals like Google and OpenAI. Meanwhile, the robotics projects, despite not having a clear commercial product, will get dedicated hardware oversight — potentially a sign that Apple is still serious about home robotics but sees it more as a hardware-driven opportunity than a software one.

The reorganization comes ahead of Apple’s June WWDC conference, where the company is widely expected to unveil major AI innovations. The reshuffling signals Apple’s intent to sharpen its AI focus and bring clarity to its next-generation technology endeavors.