John Giannandrea, Apple’s former head of artificial intelligence, is expected to leave the company this week as his final stock vesting date approaches, according to reports.
Giannandrea joined Apple in 2018 after previously leading Google’s search and AI efforts, where he played a key role in advancing the company’s machine learning initiatives. At Apple, he oversaw the company’s broader AI strategy, including work on machine learning infrastructure and improvements across services such as Siri and on-device intelligence features.
His departure marks a notable leadership change within Apple’s AI division, a space that has become increasingly important as the company ramps up its focus on generative AI and next-generation software capabilities. The timing of his exit—coinciding with his final stock vesting milestone—suggests a planned transition rather than an abrupt departure.
Apple has not yet announced who will permanently take over his responsibilities, but the company is expected to continue expanding its AI leadership structure as competition in the field intensifies across the tech industry.
In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that John Giannandrea’s departure from Apple has effectively been a long, drawn-out process rather than a sudden exit.
According to Gurman, Apple significantly reduced Giannandrea’s responsibilities in March 2025 following a challenging rollout of Apple Intelligence and continued delays surrounding the company’s Siri overhaul. At that time, Apple reportedly removed him from oversight of key areas including Siri, robotics, and several broader AI initiatives.
The company later formalized his exit plans at the end of last year, announcing that Giannandrea would be retiring in 2026. In the months since, he has remained in what Gurman describes as an advisory “resting and vesting” role—continuing to stay on Apple’s payroll while awaiting final stock grant vesting milestones.
With his next major vesting date falling on April 15, Gurman says Giannandrea is now in his final days at the company this week. During this transitional period, his remaining responsibilities—including Apple’s foundation models, AI testing efforts, and related projects—have been redistributed across several senior executives, including software chief Craig Federighi, services head Eddy Cue, and operations chief Sabih Khan.
Giannandrea originally joined Apple in 2018 after previously serving as a top AI executive at Google, where he led machine learning and search initiatives. Despite his high-profile hire, Gurman notes that he is not expected to move to another major tech company following his departure. Instead, he is likely to focus on corporate board positions and advisory roles with startups.
Gurman also offered a broader critique of Apple’s internal structure, suggesting that Giannandrea’s limited impact was not solely an issue of leadership performance. He argued that Apple operates more like a tightly controlled organization at the top, writing that “the truth is that the top of Apple is run like a small family business with few decision-makers,” adding that executives outside the inner circle often lack the authority needed to drive major change within the company.
Overall, Giannandrea’s exit marks a significant shift in Apple’s AI leadership at a time when the company is under increasing pressure to accelerate its artificial intelligence efforts and close the gap with competitors.