Apple’s AI Chief Ke Yang Joins Meta Amid Intensifying Talent Competition

In a significant development in Silicon Valley’s AI sector, Ke Yang, Apple’s newly appointed head of the Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI) team, has resigned just weeks after his appointment. Yang, who was tasked with leading Apple’s initiative to develop ChatGPT-like AI-driven web search capabilities, is set to join Meta Platforms Inc., according to sources familiar with the matter.

Strategic Shift in Apple’s AI Vision

Yang’s departure marks a notable shift in Apple’s artificial intelligence strategy. The AKI team, under his leadership, was central to Apple’s plans to overhaul its Siri voice assistant by March 2026. This revamp aimed to enhance Siri’s capabilities by integrating web-based information retrieval, positioning Apple to better compete with AI-powered search offerings from companies like OpenAI and Google’s Gemini.

Meta’s Aggressive Talent Acquisition

Meta’s recruitment of Yang underscores its aggressive approach to expanding its AI capabilities. The company has been actively poaching top AI talent from competitors, including Apple, to bolster its superintelligence initiatives. Yang’s move follows similar high-profile departures, such as Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab, who also joined Meta recently. These strategic hires reflect Meta’s commitment to accelerating its AI research and development efforts.

Implications for the AI Talent Landscape

The rapid turnover of key AI executives between leading tech companies highlights the intensifying competition for AI talent in Silicon Valley. As companies vie for expertise to drive innovation in artificial intelligence, such movements may influence the direction and pace of AI advancements in the industry.

Conclusion

Ke Yang’s transition from Apple to Meta signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing talent war shaping the future of AI technology. As both companies continue to invest heavily in AI, the outcomes of these strategic hires will likely have lasting impacts on the competitive dynamics within the tech industry.