Apple loses key AI leader to Meta amid fierce talent competition

Apple Inc.’s top executive in charge of artificial intelligence models is leaving for Meta Platforms Inc., another setback in the iPhone maker’s struggling AI efforts. Ruoming Pang, a distinguished engineer and manager in charge of the company’s Apple foundation models team, is departing to join Meta’s new superintelligence group, representing the latest high-profile talent loss as the social media giant aggressively recruits AI expertise.

Why this matters: The departure highlights Apple’s ongoing challenges in retaining top AI talent and competing with rivals like Meta, which has been on a hiring spree to build its superintelligence capabilities.

Key details: Pang joined Apple from Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company) in 2021 and has been leading the company’s foundation models team, which develops the underlying AI systems that power Apple’s intelligence features.
• He is described as a distinguished engineer, indicating his senior technical role within Apple’s AI organization.
• The move represents another win for Meta’s newly formed superintelligence group, which has been actively recruiting top AI researchers and engineers.

The bigger picture: Apple’s AI efforts have faced mounting pressure as the company works to catch up with competitors in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape.
• The departure comes as Apple continues to develop its Apple Intelligence features and compete with other tech giants investing heavily in AI capabilities.
• Meta’s aggressive hiring strategy for its superintelligence group signals the company’s commitment to advancing its AI research and development efforts.

What’s next: The personnel move underscores the intense competition for AI talent across the tech industry, with companies like Meta willing to poach senior executives from rivals to strengthen their capabilities.