Apple cuts over 200 jobs across Siri and Vision Pro teams to focus on AI and future devices: Report
Follow UsApple is reportedly cutting more than 200 jobs across teams working on Siri and the Vision Pro headset.
Apple is also reducing the size of its Intelligent Systems Experience team.
As part of the layoffs, the tech giant is largely shutting down a team focused on gaming for the Vision Pro.
Apple is reportedly cutting more than 200 jobs across teams working on Siri and the Vision Pro headset. The move is part of a wider effort to shift resources towards AI and future products, according to Bloomberg. Apple is also reducing the size of its Intelligent Systems Experience team, which works on AI features for its devices. Around 100 jobs are reportedly being cut from the Vision Pro organisation, while another 100 positions are being affected across Siri and software teams.
SurveyAs part of the layoffs, the tech giant is largely shutting down a team focused on gaming for the Vision Pro. It is also reducing the size of the team that produces the handset’s immersive video content.
“While we will create new roles as part of this change, it will also impact a limited number of existing roles,” Apple was quoted as saying in the report. “We are grateful to these team members for their contributions, and we are committed to supporting them throughout their transition, including opportunities to apply for other roles at Apple.”
Apple is said to be reshaping its Siri teams as it prepares a new version of the voice assistant powered by AI. The updated Siri is being developed using a new technical system. This means the company needs different skills and expertise. So, some existing roles are being removed, resources are being moved to other areas, and new positions are being created, according to the report.
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The Vision Pro changes were described to employees as an effort to realign priorities based on customer usage and focus resources on other future products. Immersive video has been one of the main features promoted for the Vision Pro. However, producing this type of content is expensive and requires large production teams. Some episodes of immersive video series can cost several million dollars to produce. The high cost has become a concern as the headset has attracted a limited number of users.
Apple is not completely ending its immersive video efforts. The company reportedly plans to make fewer videos internally and rely more on outside companies to create content.
The tech giant has reportedly told employees that Vision Pro and visionOS will continue. However, its focus in the near term is expected to move towards future products, including smart glasses.
