Software engineers across several product divisions are being laid off as the company realigns its workforce to focus on next-generation artificial intelligence. Apple is eliminating roughly 200 roles, which includes the nearly complete removal of the Vision Pro gaming unit and a reduction in the team creating immersive video. The layoffs also impact the Siri digital assistant and the Intelligence Systems Experience team to facilitate a transition to a new AI architecture.
The shifts in the headset division follow poor consumer reception of the device as a gaming machine and high overhead for content, with immersive videos costing millions of dollars per episode. Apple stated that the realignment is meant to deliver better user experiences and noted that affected employees are eligible to apply for other positions within the company.
Key sources
- SOURCE@business“part of an effort to focus on new devices and artificial intelligence”x.com
- SOURCE@markgurman“largely eliminating its Vision Pro gaming team, scaling back its Vision Pro immersive video team”x.com
- SUPPORT@markgurman“Immersive videos cost millions of dollars per episode to create”x.com
- SUPPORT@markgurman“adjust roles to better meet the needs of the new Siri AI architecture”x.com
- SUPPORT@markgurman“laid off employees can apply for other roles at Apple”x.com