Apple, Inc. (AAPL), which lags behind its mega-cap tech peers in the artificial intelligence (AI) race, suffered a setback as Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) reportedly poached one of its key AI personnel.

Apple’s AI strategy is steered by software head Craig Federighi and Mike Rockwell; the engineering lead behind the Vision Pro and now Siri. Meanwhile, AI research remains under John Giannandrea, who was recently stripped of direct oversight of key AI consumer products amid delays and criticism of Apple’s AI rollout.

Ruoming Pang, who currently leads Apple's foundation AI models, is leaving to join Meta's Superintelligence Labs. Pang's departure underscores challenges in Apple's AI division and Meta's aggressive bid for AI supremacy.