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Dozens of Apple Engineers Defect to OpenAI as Rival Builds Hardware Team

A Wall Street Journal review of LinkedIn profiles points to a concentrated shift in Apple expertise that aligns with OpenAI’s device ambitions.

Overview

  • The Wall Street Journal’s analysis of LinkedIn data shows dozens of Apple engineers and designers have recently joined OpenAI, with specialties spanning audio systems, wearable-device industrial design, and robotics.
  • Reporting indicates OpenAI is building a dedicated hardware division, with its first device targeted for next year according to multiple outlets.
  • Meta has also hired from Apple, including longtime software design leader Alan Dye, as it invests in AI and smartglasses within Reality Labs.
  • Apple has disclosed recent senior exits—Kate Adams, Lisa Jackson, and AI chief John Giannandrea—following earlier departures of Jeff Williams and Luca Maestri.
  • The talent flow gives competitors access to Apple-honed product knowledge, though counts are based on public profiles and serve as indicative rather than exhaustive measures.