Meta has snapped up Ke Yang, a top strategist behind Apple’s Siri upgrades, in a fresh blow to the iPhone maker’s AI team. This move, announced on October 15, 2025, highlights the fierce battle for top talent as tech giants race to build smarter AI systems.
Who Is Ke Yang and Why Does He Matter
Ke Yang stands out as a skilled AI expert with a strong background in machine learning. He earned his degree from Carnegie Mellon University and joined Apple in 2019 to lead key projects.
At Apple, Yang took charge of the Answers, Knowledge, and Information team. This group worked on advanced search features to make Siri more like ChatGPT, helping it answer complex questions better.
His work aimed to overhaul Siri by March 2026, adding tools for smarter web searches and deeper knowledge handling. Experts see Yang as a driving force in Apple’s push to catch up in generative AI.
Yang’s LinkedIn profile shows his focus on building AI models that power voice assistants. His exit leaves a gap in Apple’s plans to integrate AI across devices like iPhones and iPads.
Details of Yang’s Jump to Meta
Meta confirmed hiring Yang to boost its own AI efforts, though details on his exact role remain under wraps. Insiders say he will join Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, a new group focused on cutting-edge AI research.
The switch happened just weeks after Yang got promoted at Apple. This quick departure points to Meta’s aggressive recruiting tactics, including high pay and exciting projects.
Meta has been on a hiring spree in 2025, pulling in talent from rivals to strengthen its position in AI. Yang’s move fits this pattern, as the company aims to lead in areas like virtual reality and social media AI.
Apple has not commented publicly, but the loss adds to a string of exits from its Foundation Models team. Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has openly talked about building superintelligent AI, which likely drew Yang in.
Other Tech Leaders Who Left Apple for Meta
Apple’s AI division has seen several high-profile exits this year, with many heading to Meta. This trend shows how competitive the field has become.
Here is a quick look at some key departures:
- Ruoming Pang: Founder of Apple’s AI models team, now leads Meta’s Superintelligence efforts with a massive pay package over $200 million.
- Chong Wang: Senior AI researcher who left in early October 2025.
- Frank Chu: Former AI leader who joined Meta in August 2025.
These moves have involved around a dozen staff from Apple’s core AI group. Not all went to Meta; for example, Sam Wiseman moved to Reflection AI in New York.
| Executive | Previous Role at Apple | New Company | Departure Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ke Yang | Head of AKI Team | Meta | October 2025 |
| Ruoming Pang | Lead Scientist, Foundation Models | Meta | July 2025 |
| Chong Wang | Senior AI Researcher | Meta | October 2025 |
| Frank Chu | AI Leader | Meta | August 2025 |
| Sam Wiseman | AI Researcher | Reflection AI | Recent 2025 |
This table highlights the pattern of talent flowing out of Apple. Meta has gained the most, strengthening its labs amid the AI boom.
How This Hurts Apple’s AI Plans
Apple faces challenges in keeping its AI edge as these exits pile up. The company is working hard to upgrade Siri and add generative features to compete with tools from Google and OpenAI.
Losing leaders like Yang slows down projects, such as the planned Siri refresh. Apple has teamed up its AI group with software engineering under leaders like John Giannandrea and Craig Federighi to speed things up.
Yet, the talent drain raises questions about Apple’s strategy. In 2025, the firm has poured billions into AI research, but rivals like Meta offer more freedom and resources.
On the bright side, Apple continues partnerships, like with OpenAI, to bolster its tech. Still, experts worry this could delay new features in iOS updates.
The broader impact hits Apple’s stock and market position. Investors watch closely as AI becomes key to future growth in smartphones and services.
The Growing AI Talent War Among Tech Giants
The fight for AI experts has heated up in 2025, with companies like Meta, Google, and startups vying for top minds. This war stems from the need to build advanced systems that can transform industries.
Meta’s poaching spree is part of a larger trend. For instance, Google lost key staff to OpenAI earlier this year, while startups offer equity deals to lure talent.
Factors driving this include high salaries, often over $1 million, and the chance to work on groundbreaking projects. The U.S. leads in AI jobs, with Silicon Valley as the hot spot.
Recent events, like Meta’s launch of new AI tools in September 2025, show why talent matters. Companies that grab the best brains often lead in innovation.
This competition benefits workers but creates instability for firms like Apple, which must now recruit aggressively to fill gaps.
What do you think about this AI talent shuffle? Share your thoughts in the comments and pass this article along to friends in tech.
