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Google's former AI chief is now an Apple VP
Apple has added John Giannandrea to its executive team, less than a year after he left Google to join its rival. Giannandrea has been appointed as the senior vice president of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a new role that shows Cupertino is getting more serious with AI development. The new exec, who used to be Mountain View's AI and search chief, oversees the development of Siri and Apple's Core ML software that developers can use to add machine learning capabilities into their apps.
What Siri can learn from Google Assistant
It's no secret that when it comes to voice assistants, Siri is often cited as one of the worst. Even though Apple introduced it years before Amazon and Google, their digital rivals -- Alexa and Google Assistant -- have since bested Siri in both features and performance. That's mostly because Amazon and Google have spent years pouring millions of dollars worth of research into artificial intelligence, making their assistants smarter and more capable over time.
Apple hires Google's former AI leader
Apple has regularly been accused of lagging behind Google in AI development, but it just scored a major victory that could help it turn things around. The iPhone maker has hired Google's just-departed AI and search chief, John Giannandrea, to head up its "machine learning and AI strategy." He'll report directly to Tim Cook. It's not certain if Apple has specific plans for the new exec, but Cook observed in a message to staff (obtained by the New York Times) that Giannandrea shared "our commitment to privacy and our thoughtful approach." In other words, don't expect him to widen Apple's data collection just because of his Google history.
Google AI and search chief steps down as part of overhaul
Google's quest to conquer AI is leading to a major change in leadership. The Information has learned that AI and search leader John Giannandrea is leaving his role, which will be split into two: Google Brain leader Jeff Dean will run a dedicated AI wing in addition to his Brain position, while search engineering boss Ben Gomes will lead search as the division's Vice President. Giannandrea is staying around, but reportedly wants to be "more hands on with technology" than he was before.
Google's new head of search is an AI research leader
There's a changing of the guard underway at Google... and it could have big ramifications for how the company tackles its main business. Senior VP of search (and early employee) Amit Singhal is retiring on February 26th, and he's being replaced by John Giannandrea, the VP who leads the company's artificial intelligence and research work. In the process, Google is folding its research division into search -- it's now an integral part of how Google operates.
