Apple Faces Leadership Exits as AI Chief and Design Head Depart

Apple Inc. confirmed on 5 December 2025 that John Giannandrea, the company's senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, will retire in early 2025. Giannandrea's departure comes as Apple experiences a significant turnover in its executive leadership team. He will remain in an advisory role until his retirement and has been instrumental in advancing the company's artificial intelligence initiatives.

Tim Cook, the Chief Executive Officer of Apple, expressed gratitude for Giannandrea's contributions, stating, "We are thankful for the role John played in building and advancing our AI work." Giannandrea joined Apple in 2018 after a successful tenure at Google, where he was involved in developing AI technologies.

In a related announcement, Apple revealed that Kate Adams, its general counsel, and Lisa Jackson, the vice president for environment, policy, and social initiatives, have also decided to retire. Both executives have been crucial in navigating Apple through various legal challenges and policy developments. Adams, who joined the company in 2017 from Honeywell, oversaw litigation and privacy initiatives during a period marked by increased antitrust scrutiny, particularly concerning the App Store's practices.

Lisa Jackson, who has been with Apple since 2013, played a significant role in the company's diversity programmes and policy advocacy in Washington, D.C. Prior to her time at Apple, Jackson served as the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama.

The recent departures have raised questions about the future leadership structure at Apple, especially as the company grapples with maintaining its competitive edge in technology. Alan Dye, the long-serving head of user interface design, is also leaving Apple to join Meta, a move that highlights the ongoing challenges within Apple's design team. His departure is significant, given that he played a pivotal role in shaping the design of Apple's recent software and devices.

Dye's exit follows a trend of high-profile departures from Apple, with Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams retiring just a month prior and former hardware head Dan Riccio leaving in the fall. This wave of leadership changes has led to speculation about the stability of Apple's executive team, particularly as many senior leaders, including Tim Cook, approach retirement age.

Dye will not be alone in his transition to Meta; Billy Sorrentino, a senior design director at Apple since 2016, will also join the company. This recruitment by Meta signals a strategic move to bolster its design capabilities as it continues to compete with Apple in the technology sector. The ongoing shifts within Apple’s leadership raise critical questions about the company’s direction and ability to innovate in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.