Article Today, Hyderabad:
Apple has appointed Indian-origin technology leader Amar Subrahmanyam as its new Vice-President for Artificial Intelligence. The move comes at a time when the company is widely seen as lagging behind competitors in the fast-evolving AI race. Mr. Subrahmanyam previously held senior roles at Google and Microsoft, where he worked on advanced AI systems. He will now be responsible for strengthening Apple’s core AI strategy.
Growing Competition in the AI Sector
The global artificial intelligence sector has seen intense competition among leading technology firms. Engineers, researchers and product leaders with proven expertise are being actively pursued across companies. Apple’s decision to bring in Mr. Subrahmanyam reflects the increasing importance of experienced leadership in shaping next-generation AI products. The company has faced criticism over delays in Siri upgrades and limitations in its Apple Intelligence platform.
Shift in Talent Across Global Tech Firms
The appointment also highlights the continuous movement of senior talent between major technology corporations. In recent years, Microsoft recruited several researchers from Google DeepMind. Now, Apple has attracted a senior executive from Microsoft. This movement is not driven only by compensation but also by the strategic goal of building foundational AI models that will define future digital platforms.
Focus on Privacy-Centric AI
Apple continues to face a unique challenge in balancing artificial intelligence development with its strong emphasis on user privacy. The company remains cautious about using large volumes of personal data for AI training. Mr. Subrahmanyam brings expertise in semi-supervised learning techniques, which require limited labelled data. This approach is expected to help Apple build efficient AI systems while maintaining strict privacy standards.
Expertise in Speech and Language Systems
Mr. Subrahmanyam holds a doctoral degree from the University of Washington and has extensive experience in speech recognition and natural language processing. His background is expected to play a crucial role in modernising Siri and strengthening Apple’s machine learning research. He will oversee foundation models, AI safety teams and long-term research initiatives within the company.
Rising Indian Presence in Global Tech Leadership
The appointment adds to the growing presence of Indian-origin leaders in key positions across global technology firms. Microsoft is led by Satya Nadella, and Google by Sundar Pichai. With Mr. Subrahmanyam now leading Apple’s AI division, Indian-origin executives hold influential roles across the world’s leading tech companies. This reflects the increasing global recognition of Indian technical and managerial talent.
Strategic Significance for Apple’s Future
Meanwhile, Apple recently entered into a major licensing agreement with Google to integrate Gemini AI models into its ecosystem. With Mr. Subrahmanyam’s arrival, the company aims to accelerate its in-house AI development and close the gap with competitors. The coming months will be closely watched as Apple seeks to redefine its position in the global AI landscape.
