Apple Faces AI Leadership Shift as Senior Executive Robby Walker Leaves

Photo: Reuters

Apple, one of the world’s most valuable technology companies, is once again facing questions about its place in the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence. The news of Robby Walker, a senior leader in Apple’s AI and search division, leaving the company has raised new debate about how prepared Apple is for the future.

A Key Exit at a Critical Time

Robby Walker has been with Apple since 2013. Over more than a decade, he worked on several important projects, including Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. Until earlier this year, he was in charge of Siri before the responsibility was given to Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief. Since April 2025, Walker served as the senior director of Apple’s Answers, Information and Knowledge team.

Bloomberg reported that Walker is planning to leave Apple next month. His departure comes at a time when Apple is already under pressure for being too slow in adopting artificial intelligence compared to its rivals like Google, Microsoft, and Meta.

Apple’s Slow AI Push

Over the last year, technology companies around the world have rushed to launch advanced AI tools. Google has been showing off its Gemini AI model, while Microsoft has partnered closely with OpenAI. In contrast, Apple has been more cautious.

Apple only recently announced its new Apple Intelligence suite, which includes a partnership with ChatGPT. Even then, the rollout has been slower than expected. The company has also delayed a major AI upgrade for Siri until next year.

This slow progress has led many to worry that Apple may be missing out on what experts call the biggest growth wave in technology in decades.

Competitors Poaching Apple’s AI Talent

Robby Walker is not the only one leaving Apple. In recent months, several other AI experts from the company have joined Meta’s Superintelligence Labs team.

These include Ruoming Pang, who was Apple’s top executive for AI models, as well as Mark Lee and Tom Gunter, both of whom worked closely with Pang. This growing list of exits shows that Apple is struggling to keep its AI talent at a time when the competition is getting stronger.

Leadership Questions Inside Apple

Reports earlier this year suggested that Apple CEO Tim Cook has lost confidence in AI chief John Giannandrea, who was once seen as the company’s main hope for building competitive AI products.

Instead, Mike Rockwell, vice president of the Vision Products Group, is now expected to take a stronger role in shaping Siri’s future. This internal shuffle highlights the uncertainty inside Apple about who should lead its AI strategy.

Recent Product Launch Without Strong AI Focus

At its annual product launch last week, Apple introduced new iPhones, including a slimmer model called the iPhone Air. The company kept prices steady despite U.S. tariffs that have hurt profits.

However, the event left many observers disappointed because there was little sign of how Apple plans to catch up in AI. Rivals like Google and Samsung have already put advanced AI tools directly into their smartphones, while Apple still seems to be preparing for that move.

What This Means for Apple’s Future

Apple is known for its ability to transform industries — from the iPod and iPhone to the Apple Watch. But now the company is facing a critical test.

If it cannot build strong AI products soon, Apple risks losing its reputation as a leader in innovation. With rivals racing ahead, the company must show that it has a clear plan to bring powerful AI tools into the lives of its users.

The departure of Robby Walker makes this challenge even harder. Apple will now need to reassure investors, customers, and employees that it can still compete in this new era.

Apple’s history shows that it often moves slowly at first but later surprises the world with breakthrough products. Whether that will happen again with artificial intelligence remains to be seen.

For now, Robby Walker’s exit highlights the urgent need for Apple to rebuild trust in its AI strategy and to prove that it can still shape the future of technology.