Apple’s newly tapped head of ChatGPT-like AI search effort to leave for Meta

The Apple executive leading an effort to develop AI-driven web search is stepping down, marking the latest in a string of high-profile exits from the company’s artificial intelligence division.

The executive, Ke Yang, is leaving for Meta Platforms, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Just weeks ago, he was appointed head of a team called Answers, Knowledge and Information, or AKI. The group is developing features to make the Siri voice assistant more ChatGPT-like by adding the ability to pull information from the web.

That team is central to a major Siri revamp planned for March, part of Apple’s broader effort to revive its struggling AI operations. The new version of Siri will also include features delayed from earlier this year, such as the ability to tap into personal data to handle more complex requests.

The Answers feature, in particular, was designed to help Apple better compete with OpenAI, Perplexity and Alphabet’s Google Gemini in the AI-powered search market – a space rapidly gaining traction among both smartphone and computer users.

Yang recently became a direct report to John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice-president of AI and machine learning. He had led the search-focused elements of the AKI group before taking over the entire division – a move that followed the departure of its previous head, Robby Walker.

Representatives for Apple and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.