In a major blow, Apple’s (AAPL) head of artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, John Giannandrea, is leaving the iPhone maker in coming days.
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Giannandrea joined Apple in 2018 after previously leading AI and search divisions at Google parent company Alphabet (GOOGL). While at Apple, he was a central figure in shaping the company’s machine learning and AI strategies.
During his tenure, Giannandrea helped build Apple’s core AI infrastructure, including foundation models and research systems that power AI features across Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPad. Multiple media reports say Giannandrea will transition out of his current position and is expected to serve in an advisory capacity before fully retiring at the end of this year.
Apple’s Revolving Door
Giannandrea’s exit comes with Apple under growing pressure to demonstrate a robust AI strategy. Analysts and investors are calling on the company to release a new version of its Siri digital assistant, overhauled to include AI capabilities.
Giannandrea’s departure also comes as the company restructures parts of its AI leadership team to strengthen its execution and accelerate product rollouts. Giannandrea is the latest in a series of high-profile executive departures at Apple in recent months. There have even been rumors that CEO Tim Cook plans to retire later this year, which he has refuted.
Is AAPL Stock a Buy?
Apple stock has a consensus Moderate Buy rating among 24 Wall Street analysts. That rating is based on 14 Buy, nine Hold, and one Sell recommendations issued in the last three months. The average AAPL price target of $304.66 implies 22% upside from current levels.
