Apple’s AI team is losing more of its top minds, and the latest to leave is Ke Yang. He was one of the key executives behind Apple’s work on building AI-powered web search for Siri. Reports say Yang is heading to Meta, joining a growing list of Apple AI experts who have recently left the company.
This move raises more questions about Apple’s direction in the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence.
Who is Ke Yang and Why His Exit Matters
Ke Yang led Apple’s Answers, Knowledge, and Information team, also called AKI. This group was responsible for improving Siri’s ability to search the web and give better answers to user questions. In simple terms, AKI was trying to make Siri smarter, faster, and more useful, similar to ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
Yang was an important part of this effort. He had just taken over leadership of the AKI team, which was preparing a major Siri update expected to launch in March. This update was supposed to bring new features that let Siri pull real-time information from the web and handle more complex requests.
So when someone as important as Yang leaves just months before such a big project, it creates serious concerns about how stable Apple’s AI plans really are.
Apple’s Ongoing AI Team Exodus
Yang’s departure is not an isolated case. According to multiple reports, around a dozen engineers and researchers from Apple’s AI and machine learning division have left for Meta and other companies this year. Many of them joined Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, a new division that focuses on advanced AI systems.
Before Yang, another key leader, Ruoming Pang, who was Apple’s head of AI models, also left for Meta. These repeated departures suggest a deeper issue inside Apple’s AI division. It might be related to internal struggles, slow progress, or simply Meta offering more attractive opportunities.
Apple has always been known for its privacy-first approach to AI, which often means slower development compared to companies like OpenAI or Google. While other companies have rushed to release AI products and updates, Apple has taken its time. This careful approach is good for safety, but it might also frustrate engineers who want to move faster and build cutting-edge tools.
What Meta Gains from These Moves
For Meta, this is a big win. The company has been on a hiring spree to expand its AI capabilities, especially through its new Superintelligence Labs. By bringing in top talent from Apple, Meta strengthens its position in the growing AI race.
People like Ke Yang bring valuable experience. They understand how to build AI systems that handle complex, personal, and secure interactions. Meta can use their knowledge to improve its own AI models, enhance tools like Llama, and create smarter products for users across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made it clear that AI is at the center of Meta’s future. The company is heavily investing in AI models that can help users create content, communicate more easily, and interact in new ways inside its apps. Recruiting top engineers from Apple gives Meta a strong advantage in reaching those goals faster.
Apple’s AI Future Looks Uncertain
Apple’s AI journey has been slow compared to its competitors. While Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic keep releasing new AI tools, Apple is still preparing to launch its improved version of Siri. The new Siri is expected to use Apple’s large language models to give more natural and detailed answers. It will also be able to handle tasks that involve personal data, such as checking messages or scheduling events.
But losing several senior members right before such a release could affect progress. Some insiders say that these exits could delay features or change how fast Apple can bring its AI plans to market. Others believe Apple will still deliver, just at its usual slower pace.
Apple has not commented publicly on Yang’s exit. However, it has appointed Benoit Dupin as his replacement, who will now lead the AKI team. It remains to be seen if Dupin can keep the team stable and focused amid these leadership changes.
The Bigger Picture
The competition in AI is becoming more intense every month. Companies are racing to develop smarter, faster, and cheaper AI systems. Apple’s strategy has always been to perfect its products before launching them, but the AI world moves at a speed that does not allow much waiting.
If Apple continues to lose top talent, it could find itself falling behind. Siri has not evolved much in recent years, while tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude have transformed how people use AI.
Apple still has the resources and talent to catch up, but it needs to show stronger leadership and a clear vision for AI. The upcoming Siri revamp will be a key test of how serious Apple is about competing in the new era of intelligent assistants.
The Bottom Line
Ke Yang’s move to Meta is not just another job change. It reflects a shift in the balance of power in the AI world. Meta is rising fast, while Apple seems to be struggling to keep its best people. For Apple fans hoping for a smarter Siri, this could mean more delays.
The AI race is not only about who builds the most powerful model, but also about who can keep the best minds working on it. Right now, Meta seems to be winning that race.
