Apple is set to lose one of its key artificial intelligence executives: Robby Walker, senior director of the Answers, Information, and Knowledge team, is leaving Apple next month, sources say. Walker, who joined the company back in 2013, previously led the Siri team until earlier this year — when responsibility for Siri shifted to Software SVP Craig Federighi after promised updates were delayed. His exit follows a broad pattern of high-profile departures in Apple’s AI division, including talent being scooped up by Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, and comes alongside criticism that Apple has been moving cautiously while rivals push forward aggressively with AI advances. Apple’s new AI-powered web search project, “Answers,” is still expected to launch in 2026, but analysts and insiders see Walker’s departure as a signal that Apple’s AI roadmap may be under pressure to accelerate.
Sources: Yahoo Finance, Apple Insider, 9to5Mac
Key Takeaways
– Apple is losing a senior AI executive, Robby Walker, whose roles have included leading Siri and more recently steering the “Answers, Information, and Knowledge” group. His departure is slated for October.
– The company has been publicly criticized for delays in its AI efforts (notably the Siri overhaul and rollout of other AI-driven features), raising concerns about falling behind competitors.
– Walker’s exit is part of broader talent loss from Apple’s AI teams, including people leaving for Meta. Meanwhile, Apple’s next big AI initiatives (like “Answers,” and a revamped Siri launch) are being pushed into 2026.
In-Depth
Apple’s AI strategy has just hit a moment of turbulence. Robby Walker, a seasoned AI executive who has shaped crucial aspects of Apple’s voice assistant and knowledge systems, is stepping away next month. Having joined the company in 2013, Walker has been at the helm of Siri through both its promise and its delays. More recently, he transitioned to lead the “Answers, Information and Knowledge” team — a group widely understood to be behind Apple’s upcoming AI-powered search and knowledge product. However, with Walker’s departure, it’s clear that internal expectations and market pressures are converging to test Apple’s pace in delivering its AI roadmap.
The background of Walker’s exit underscores deeper challenges in Apple’s AI efforts. The highly anticipated overhaul of Siri has been delayed beyond its initial targets, drawing criticism both inside and outside the company. Apple also postponed the rollout of related AI features and has been more cautious in releasing new functionality compared to competitors who have taken bigger risks. These delays have fueled concerns that Apple’s approach — emphasizing polish, reliability, and control — may be causing it to lag in what many see as a fast-moving AI arms race.
Yet, Walker’s departure isn’t happening in isolation. It follows a trend: a number of Apple’s AI talents have exited, some joining Meta’s Superintelligence Labs. That puts pressure on Apple not just in execution, but in retaining the people who can help deliver ambitious AI projects. Meanwhile, the “Answers” project remains on schedule for a 2026 launch, at least according to public sources. That gives Apple some breathing room, but the margin for error is shrinking. The company is being watched closely: will its cautious, quality-driven approach pay off, or will competitors that move more aggressively capture crucial ground first? For Apple, the next year may be decisive in whether its AI efforts become seen as steady and reliable — or as slow and reactive.