Indian-origin scientist Amar Subramanya steps up as Apple’s new AI leader

Apple has made a major change in its artificial intelligence leadership by appointing Indian-origin researcher Amar Subramanya as its new vice president of AI. He will replace longtime executive John Giannandrea, who will continue to advise the company until his planned retirement in 2026. The company shared the announcement on Monday and explained how this leadership shift will help strengthen its future AI goals.

Subramanya has years of experience working in some of the world’s top technology firms. He comes to Apple after serving as corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft. Before that, he worked for 16 years at Google, where he played a leading role in engineering for the company’s AI assistant systems. Apple believes that his deep experience will help accelerate its push into next-generation AI tools, including improvements to its upcoming Siri, foundation models, and machine learning research.

Shift in leadership

Subramanya will report directly to Apple’s software chief, Craig Federighi, who heads many of the company's major software projects. Apple said he will lead several important teams, including Apple’s foundation models group, machine learning research teams, and the AI safety and evaluation division. These areas are becoming central to the company’s long-term strategy, especially as global competition in AI continues to rise.

Apple CEO Tim Cook welcomed Subramanya and acknowledged the contributions of Giannandrea, who has led Apple’s machine learning and AI efforts for the last several years. Cook praised Giannandrea’s work in building Apple’s AI strategy, developing strong internal teams, and helping the company push forward with major AI features. He said Apple is now ready for its next phase in AI, especially with plans to make Siri more personalized for users starting next year.

In the official statement, Cook explained that Apple has always placed AI at the center of its long-term vision. He said the company is excited about the experience and leadership Subramanya brings and believes he will help expand and improve its AI systems. Cook also highlighted Federighi’s important role in the company’s AI progress, including his oversight of work on future versions of Siri and advanced AI features.

Giannandrea has been one of Apple’s most important AI leaders since he joined the company in 2018. Before moving to Apple, he was known for leading AI and Search operations at Google, where he helped build some of the company’s core intelligent systems. At Apple, he managed the teams responsible for Apple’s foundation models, search and knowledge systems, machine learning research, and the company’s AI infrastructure. Now, as he prepares for retirement in spring 2026, he will continue to advise Apple for a period to ensure a smooth transition.

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Subramanya’s experience and Apple’s AI future

The company believes that Subramanya’s combination of research knowledge and product-building experience makes him a strong fit for its next AI chapter. Apple said he has a deep understanding of both machine learning research and how to integrate these technologies into real-world products. This is particularly important for Apple, which aims to bring more advanced AI features to its devices while maintaining its focus on user privacy and safety.

At Microsoft, Subramanya played an important role in the company’s AI strategy during a period when AI development was moving forward at a very fast pace. He helped lead teams working on a wide range of AI tools, including large language models and intelligent assistants. His long tenure at Google gave him experience in building and improving large-scale AI systems used by millions of people.

Apple’s new focus on foundation models shows the company is preparing to expand beyond basic AI functions. Foundation models are large AI systems trained on huge amounts of data, capable of performing many types of tasks. These models power things like natural-language understanding, content creation, smarter search tools, and improved personal assistance. Apple is now working on building and refining its own foundation models to power future versions of Siri and other intelligent features across its devices.

The company also stressed the importance of AI safety and evaluation under Subramanya’s leadership. As AI capabilities increase, major technology companies are placing more attention on making sure these systems behave safely, fairly, and reliably. Apple wants to ensure that its AI tools work well without compromising user trust or security.

Apple’s announcement also highlighted how AI will shape future user experiences. The company wants Siri to become more helpful, more personal, and better at understanding complex requests. It is also exploring ways to integrate AI more deeply into daily tasks such as writing, organization, creativity, and communication across all of its products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

As competition intensifies among major global tech firms, this leadership change signals Apple’s effort to strengthen its AI position. The company believes Subramanya’s arrival will help it move faster, innovate more boldly, and bring powerful new AI features to users worldwide in the coming years.