WEBDESK: Apple loses senior AI engineer to Meta as AI challenges mount, dealing another blow to its already fragile ambitions in the artificial intelligence race. Reports this week confirm that Ruoming Pang, a key figure in Apple’s AI division, has left the company to join Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, where he will lead a team within its newly formed Superintelligence division.
According to a report by Bloomberg, Pang, who joined Apple in 2021, had been leading efforts to develop new foundational AI models. His exit marks the latest in a worrying trend, as Apple continues to see valuable AI talent moving to rival firms believed to be ahead in the global AI race.
The departure is a timely reminder that Apple loses senior AI engineer to Meta as AI challenges mount, further exposing weaknesses in its AI strategy.
Meta Attracting Top AI Engineer
It is understood that Pang left to seize a lucrative opportunity at Meta, a company that has been aggressively recruiting senior AI engineers from other major tech firms in recent months. With significant investments in artificial intelligence, Meta is rapidly assembling a formidable team aimed at becoming a leading force in the next generation of AI.
Apple loses senior AI engineer : Pressure on Apple’s AI Plans
The loss of a senior executive like Pang adds to the growing pressure on Apple’s faltering AI ambitions. The company has struggled to produce meaningful AI innovations and was notably absent from the AI spotlight at its WWDC 2025 event last month. Apple later announced it would only unveil AI products when they are fully ready for public release.
The company also faced backlash after overhyping new Siri AI features during the iPhone 16 launch in 2024 features that have yet to materialise, with delays reportedly stretching into April 2026.
As the market watches closely how Apple loses senior AI engineer to Meta as AI challenges mount, attention is turning to how the company plans to fill these critical roles and regain lost ground.
A Growing Brain Drain Problem
Bloomberg’s report further reveals that Pang led a team of over 100 engineers working on advanced large language models (LLMs) for Apple. In stark contrast, rivals such as OpenAI and Google have surged ahead, leaving Apple struggling to keep pace. The situation only worsens as Apple loses senior AI engineer to Meta as AI challenges mount, threatening the company’s ability to compete in an increasingly fast moving AI industry.
Meanwhile, Meta continues to pour billions into AI research and development, determined to catch up with competitors and secure a dominant position in the next phase of AI breakthroughs.
Although Apple’s strong focus on privacy continues to earn praise, industry analysts warn that the company risks falling further behind if it cannot retain or replace its top AI talent. Many agree that fresh momentum, bold leadership, and decisive action are urgently needed if Apple hopes to remain relevant in the competitive AI space.
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