plowunited.net – Apple has lost another key player in its artificial intelligence division as Ruoming Pang. A senior executive leading its AI models team departs for Meta Platforms. Pang’s exit marks a significant blow to Apple’s in-house AI efforts at a time when the company is racing to strengthen its position in generative AI. Pang who joined Apple from Alphabet in 2021. Led the Apple Foundation Models (AFM) team, responsible for large language models powering features across iOS and macOS devices.
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Sources familiar with the matter say Meta offered Pang a compensation package worth tens of millions of dollars annually. The move reflects Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s aggressive strategy to recruit top AI talent to support the company’s superintelligence initiative. Meta confirmed Pang’s hiring, but Apple and other involved parties have not provided public comments.
At Apple, Pang oversaw a team of roughly 100 engineers working on foundation models. These models form the core of Apple Intelligence, announced in June, and are crucial for on-device AI applications. Recently, Apple also announced plans to open its models to third-party developers. Despite these advancements, internal tensions have surfaced due to leadership exploring the integration of external models, including those from OpenAI and Anthropic.
Morale within the AFM team has reportedly dipped as new leadership scrutinizes the division’s direction. Discussions about replacing internal systems with third-party solutions have contributed to growing uncertainty. Pang’s exit appears to reflect broader discontent and strategic ambiguity within Apple’s AI division, despite its outward-facing progress.
Meta Accelerates AI Talent Acquisition Amid Rising Competition
Ruoming Pang’s recruitment highlights Meta’s continued focus on building a world-class AI research division. Over recent months, Zuckerberg has restructured internal teams and launched a new superintelligence initiative, aiming to create AI systems that can match or exceed human capabilities in specific domains. Meta has committed to spending tens of billions of dollars on AI infrastructure in 2024, including high-performance data centers and proprietary chips.
Meta’s hiring spree includes notable names like Alexandr Wang of Scale AI, Daniel Gross, Nat Friedman, and multiple researchers from OpenAI and Anthropic. Recent recruits Yuanzhi Li and Anton Bakhtin also bring expertise from top AI labs, further strengthening Meta’s capabilities. Zuckerberg is personally involved in the recruitment process, meeting candidates privately and reaching out directly to secure key hires.
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This surge in high-profile acquisitions aligns with Meta’s efforts to compete with AI leaders such as OpenAI and Google. The company is positioning itself as a serious contender in the race toward next-generation AI platforms. With the addition of Pang, Meta not only gains technical expertise but also deepens its leadership bench for large-scale AI development.
Apple’s recent struggles with AI leadership and strategic clarity may hinder its ability to attract and retain top talent. As the AI landscape grows increasingly competitive, maintaining internal alignment and morale will be critical for any company aiming to lead the next wave of technological innovation. Pang’s departure could serve as a warning sign for Apple and a strategic advantage for Meta as both companies accelerate their AI ambitions.
