Apple Loses Lead AI Robotics Researcher Jian Zhang to Meta Amid Growing Talent Exodus

Apple Inc. is experiencing a significant talent drain in its artificial intelligence division, highlighted by the departure of Jian Zhang, its lead AI researcher for robotics, who has joined Meta Platforms' Robotics Studio. This loss is part of a broader exodus including three other researchers from Apple's Foundation Models team, which has lost roughly ten members recently, with some moving to rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. These departures reflect internal challenges at Apple, including bureaucratic hurdles, strategic uncertainty, and setbacks in key AI projects such as the redevelopment of Siri. Meanwhile, Meta is aggressively recruiting AI talent, offering substantial compensation packages and expanding its ambitions in robotics and superintelligence. The brain drain raises concerns about Apple's ability to compete effectively in the AI sector, as morale within its AI teams reportedly declines and discussions emerge about potentially relying more on third-party AI technologies. This ongoing situation underscores the intense competition for AI expertise among tech giants and the strategic implications for Apple's future in AI innovation.