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In the past few months, several high-profile employees have left Apple’s AI team to join Meta. Most recently, Jian Zhang, a lead AI robotics researcher at Apple, was lured away to Meta’s Robotics Studio. Bloomberg reported that Zhang specialized in robotics and had been leaving for higher compensation in the intense AI race.
Apple has lost about a dozen of its AI specialists over this period. In July, three more members left the Foundation Models AI team to join other companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Meta specifically targets Apple’s talent pool with compensation packages above industry standards, allowing it to build a strong team and advance its AI goals.
Meta is clearly focused on building its position in AI by recruiting top talent from established tech giants, particularly in automation and robotics. Meanwhile, Apple is ramping up its AI initiatives with a significant focus on improving Siri. The timing of these moves is delicate, as the departure of key researchers raises questions about maintaining a competitive edge in the constantly evolving AI market.
Apple’s reluctance to reveal its AI vision might exacerbate talent drain. While Apple has succeeded with well-curated moves in the past, it may need to rethink its strategy to avoid further loss of top talent, especially given Meta’s aggressive recruitment tactics.
