Apple shakes up AI leadership, taps Vision Pro veteran Kim Vorrath to revive Siri

Vorrath, who previously played a pivotal role in the development of Vision Pro software, will serve as a “top deputy” to John Giannandrea, Apple’s head of AI

Apple shakes up AI leadership, taps Vision Pro veteran Kim Vorrath to revive Siri
Apple shakes up AI leadership, taps Vision Pro veteran Kim Vorrath to revive Siri

Apple has announced a strategic move to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities by appointing Kim Vorrath, a seasoned executive with 36 years at the company, to its AI and machine learning division. Vorrath, who previously played a pivotal role in the development of Vision Pro software, will serve as a “top deputy” to John Giannandrea, Apple’s head of AI, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Apple aims to strengthen AI capabilities

This executive shift signals Apple’s growing commitment to AI, an area that has yet to make the same significant impact as competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. While Apple made waves with its AI announcements at the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), its AI advancements have been slow to materialise. In fact, a major upgrade to Siri, which will enable the voice assistant to better understand the content on a user’s screen and take action accordingly, may not be available until iOS 18.4. Additionally, the company has decided to pause its AI-powered news notification summaries with the upcoming iOS 18.3 update, following feedback that the summaries were inaccurate.

Vorrath’s appointment signals shift in focus

Vorrath’s transition to the AI team, which comes after her years of leadership in Apple’s original iPhone software group, indicates a renewed focus on refining the company’s AI infrastructure. The move appears to underscore the company’s recognition of AI as a central element of its future product development. The addition of Vorrath to the team also suggests that Apple is committed to delivering more robust and reliable AI tools that will directly impact Siri and its other AI-driven offerings.

According to Bloomberg, Giannandrea has outlined the AI team’s focus for 2025, with a particular emphasis on revamping Siri’s underlying infrastructure and improving Apple’s in-house AI models. These efforts are expected to play a significant role in Apple’s long-term AI strategy and could position the company as a more formidable player in the AI space in the years to come.

Apple’s AI moves announced last year

At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2023, Apple made a bold statement about its AI ambitions, unveiling a series of initiatives designed to enhance its AI and machine learning capabilities. The company showcased plans for more personalised AI features across its ecosystem, with a particular focus on improving Siri’s conversational abilities and integrating AI deeper into iOS and macOS. Apple also emphasised its commitment to privacy and security, positioning its AI developments within the framework of protecting user data. However, despite the high-profile announcements, many of these AI advancements have been slow to roll out, with some features—such as the long-awaited Siri upgrade—still not expected to arrive until later this year. The slower pace of implementation has raised questions about how quickly Apple can catch up with the rapid developments seen in the broader AI industry.

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This article was first uploaded on January twenty-five, twenty twenty-five, at twenty-nine minutes past eleven in the morning.