Post by : Minna

Apple Loses Key AI Executive as Robby Walker Resigns

Apple is facing another major shakeup in its artificial intelligence (AI) division. Robby Walker, one of the company’s most senior AI executives, has decided to leave after more than a decade of service. His departure comes at a sensitive time when Apple is already under pressure for being too cautious in the fast-moving AI race.

According to Bloomberg, Walker is expected to officially exit Apple next month. The news has sparked fresh debate over whether Apple can catch up with its competitors, particularly Google and Meta, who are moving aggressively to dominate the AI space.

Who is Robby Walker?

Robby Walker joined Apple in 2013 and has played an important role in shaping its artificial intelligence projects. Earlier this year, he became senior director of Apple’s Answers, Information and Knowledge team, a division focused on improving user interactions and information handling.

Before that, Walker had been deeply involved with Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. Until early 2025, he was directly responsible for leading Siri’s development, before control shifted to Apple software chief Craig Federighi.

Walker’s long career inside Apple meant he was trusted with key responsibilities. His exit raises questions about how Apple’s leadership is handling the internal direction of its AI efforts.

Apple’s AI Struggles

Apple’s approach to artificial intelligence has been described as careful, even slow. While competitors like Google and OpenAI have released advanced models and showcased bold integrations, Apple has taken a more cautious route.

Its Apple Intelligence suite — which includes features like ChatGPT integration — arrived later than expected. Meanwhile, a major AI-powered upgrade to Siri has been postponed until next year.

This delay is seen by many experts as a missed opportunity. In a time when AI is shaping consumer technology, Apple risks being seen as falling behind in what could be the biggest growth wave in decades.

Leadership Changes Around Siri

The reshuffling of responsibilities within Apple’s AI team has been going on for months. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook had lost confidence in John Giannandrea, the executive leading Apple’s AI and machine learning strategy.

To strengthen oversight, Siri’s management was handed to Mike Rockwell, vice president of the Vision Products Group, which is also responsible for the Vision Pro headset. This suggested that Apple wanted closer alignment between its voice assistant and its future mixed-reality products.

Despite these moves, the company’s AI vision still appears fragmented, with key executives departing and plans being delayed.

Rivals Making Bold Moves

The timing of Walker’s departure is especially sensitive because Apple’s rivals are pushing ahead with AI at full speed.

• Meta Platforms has hired several former Apple AI leaders in recent months. This includes Ruoming Pang, who had been Apple’s top AI models executive, along with researchers Mark Lee and Tom Gunter. All three are now working on Meta’s Superintelligence Labs team.

• Google has integrated its powerful Gemini AI model into its flagship Pixel smartphones, showcasing advanced features Apple has yet to match.

With competitors delivering bold new features, Apple’s careful pace is making investors and analysts worry that the company might be losing its edge.

Apple’s Recent Product Launch

Just last week, Apple held its annual product launch event. The company unveiled an upgraded line of iPhones, including a slimmer iPhone Air, while keeping prices steady. The pricing decision was influenced by U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, which have affected Apple’s profit margins.

However, the event disappointed many who were expecting big announcements around AI. While hardware updates were welcomed, the lack of significant AI progress left some wondering about Apple’s long-term strategy.

Why Walker’s Exit Matters

Robby Walker’s exit is not just about one executive leaving. It symbolizes deeper challenges inside Apple’s AI journey. He had been a central figure for Siri, one of Apple’s most important AI-powered products. His leadership helped shape Apple’s approach to voice interaction and user assistance.

Now, with him leaving, Apple faces the risk of losing continuity and institutional knowledge. Combined with other recent high-profile departures, this raises questions about whether Apple is struggling to keep its top talent motivated.

Apple’s AI Future – A Balancing Act

Apple has always been known for being careful and secretive when adopting new technology. Unlike Google or Meta, which often experiment in public, Apple prefers to wait until its products are polished and consumer-ready.

The challenge is that in AI, speed matters. Models and applications are evolving quickly, and companies that move too slowly risk losing consumer trust and market share. Apple must now balance its reputation for reliability with the urgent need to innovate faster.

Industry experts say Apple cannot afford to “sit out” the AI revolution. The upcoming Siri upgrade in 2026 will be a crucial test of whether Apple can still deliver a product that feels both cutting-edge and uniquely Apple.

A Trend of Departures

Walker’s resignation is part of a larger pattern. In the last year, several AI researchers and executives have left Apple for Meta and other companies. This trend suggests that Apple may be struggling to provide the same opportunities, resources, or excitement that competitors are offering in AI research.

The fact that many of these former employees are joining Meta’s Superintelligence Labs shows that Apple’s talent pool is being directly tapped by rivals eager to take the lead in the AI race.

Investor and Market Reaction

So far, Apple has not responded to requests for comment on Walker’s exit. Investors are watching closely because AI is expected to be one of the biggest growth drivers in the tech industry for the next decade.

If Apple cannot demonstrate progress in AI soon, it may face more questions about whether its cautious approach is sustainable in the long term.

Apple’s identity has always been built on innovation — from the Macintosh computer to the iPhone. But in the AI era, the company’s careful approach risks making it look like a follower instead of a leader.

The resignation of Robby Walker, one of its most experienced AI leaders, adds to the perception that Apple’s AI strategy is struggling. With rivals like Google and Meta making bold moves, Apple now faces intense pressure to prove it can still set the standard for the industry.

For consumers, the hope is that the delayed Siri upgrade and Apple Intelligence suite will eventually deliver something worth the wait. For now, though, Apple is being asked a tough question: Can it keep up in the race it once seemed destined to lead?

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