Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL, XETRA:APC) announced a major change to its AI leadership team with the departure of John Giannandrea, its senior vice president for machine learning and AI strategy.
Giannandrea, who spent seven years overseeing the company’s AI roadmap, will remain in an advisory role through spring 2026 before retiring.
The company said Amar Subramanya, a longtime AI researcher who previously held senior roles at Microsoft and Google’s DeepMind unit, will join as vice president of AI reporting to software chief Craig Federighi.
Subramanya will lead Apple’s work in foundation models, machine-learning research, and AI safety as the company works to advance its Apple Intelligence platform.
Wedbush analysts highlighted that the move comes as Apple seeks to accelerate its AI efforts following delays in planned Siri upgrades earlier this year. “This follows reports that many AI researchers within [Apple headquarters] Cupertino have been poached by other organizations,” the analysts wrote.
The firm said Apple is now “looking to go on the offensive by adding more AI talent to the AAPL ecosystem” ahead of next year’s planned product cycle.
“We believe that Subramanya represents the right hire at the right time with the clock ticking on Apple’s AI strategy heading into next year,” the analysts wrote.
They added that outside hiring is becoming increasingly necessary to reinvigorate innovation within Apple’s AI organization.
“The elephant in the room remains the invisible AI strategy,” the analysts wrote, citing the company’s vast installed base of more than 2 billion active devices.
Wedbush estimates that successful AI monetization could add $75 to $100 per share to the Apple story over the coming few years. The analysts argued that Apple shares currently reflect no “AI premium” despite the company’s long-term potential in the category.
They described recent innovation from Apple Park as “very disappointing so far” and said additional external hires will likely be required to reset the company’s AI direction.
The firm expects more leadership additions as Apple works toward its delayed Siri AI launch targeted for mid-2026.
The analysts also said they believe Google’s Gemini will become Apple’s “exclusive partner on the AI front,” with a formal agreement possible in the months ahead.
“The timing of this AI leadership announcement is smart and lays the seeds for the future AI strategy in Cupertino,” the analysts concluded.
Wedbush reiterated its ‘Outperform’ rating and $320 price target and kept Apple on its Best Ideas List and AI 30 List. Shares traded at about $286 on Tuesday afternoon, up 14.4% in the year to date.