Former Siri Chief Is Leaving Apple To Join Microsoft's AI Division (theverge.com) 15
Bill Stasior, the former head of Apple's Siri division, is leaving the company after nearly a decade to join Microsoft's artificial intelligence division, reports The Information. "Although Stasior left Apple in May, he's only joining Microsoft later this month as a corporate vice president, reporting to Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott," reports The Verge. "Stasior worked at Apple for more than seven years, joining back in 2012." From the report: After Giannandrea took a more hands-on role in the Siri division upon being hired last summer, he was subsequently promoted to a senior vice president role at Apple in December. That meant he was reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook, and he was also responsible for all machine learning and general AI projects at Apple. According to The Information, that promotion resulted in Stasior walking away from day-to-day duties running the Siri team.
Prior to Giannandrea joining, Stasior had the responsibility of running Siri, who was vice president of the division for more than seven years. But Apple effectively tossed executive leadership of the product around like a hot potato. It was initially former iOS software chief Scott Forstall's job to oversee Siri, but after he left the company unceremoniously over the controversial Apple Maps fiasco, the role went to services chief Eddy Cue and then eventually VP of software engineering Craig Federighi. Finally, when Giannandrea joined, Siri had a proper executive to oversee it, but that seems to have resulted in Stasior's departure for reasons unknown. The Information notes that Stasior will not be working on Cortana. Instead, he'll be leading up an AI group, although it's unclear what exactly he'll be working on.
Prior to Giannandrea joining, Stasior had the responsibility of running Siri, who was vice president of the division for more than seven years. But Apple effectively tossed executive leadership of the product around like a hot potato. It was initially former iOS software chief Scott Forstall's job to oversee Siri, but after he left the company unceremoniously over the controversial Apple Maps fiasco, the role went to services chief Eddy Cue and then eventually VP of software engineering Craig Federighi. Finally, when Giannandrea joined, Siri had a proper executive to oversee it, but that seems to have resulted in Stasior's departure for reasons unknown. The Information notes that Stasior will not be working on Cortana. Instead, he'll be leading up an AI group, although it's unclear what exactly he'll be working on.
That wooshing sound... (Score:1)
Was you totally not getting it.
There's been a Anti-Microsoft bias at /. for the last 20 years or more; it predated Natalie Portman and hot grits.
Even the MANAGER has a 7 digit uid?
ROFL.
99% of the traffic was AC spam, I agree something needed to be done.
But browsing in a way to ignore them has worked pretty well.
Let me end by saying: Bite My Shiny Metal Ass!
Nice! (Score:2)
Anonymous Coward , you made me lol on that one. :)
Re: (Score:2)
There's been a Anti-Microsoft bias at /. for the last 20 years or more
There used to be. Sadly the new owners seem to be working for MS to change that.
Back when Slashdot was still worth reading, the one thing even the trolls could agree on, was that Microsoft should burn. Nothing has changed about the thinking that produced that conclusion, just the editors.
Re:This is what happens when you ban all the AC's. (Score:5, Insightful)
Finally, when Giannandrea joined, Siri had a proper executive to oversee it...
So,, he's the guy with the pointy hair then? Great.
Kind of puzzling. (Score:2)
Wasn't Cortania supposed to be better than Siri at this point? So what can the former head of Siri do to help Microsoft improve? Is he dedicated to firmware for the Zune2 or something?
Re: (Score:1)
How something actually works everyday for users is not really the real support problem.
Nothing puzzling. (Score:1)
The original Eliza program is better than Siri right now. Apple have taken their eye off the ball when it comes to basic things life functionality usability and innovation to successfully chase the dream of a veblin good. It has been a profitable strategy.
Why would you even want him? (Score:2)
Siri is still completely worthless. Just this weekend (I just try it to see how badly it f@#s up) I asked it to 'find me the hours for Bruski Burger and Brew'. Which is in the vicinity and the only thing named even remotely like that. So it offered to take me to McDonald's web page. Fire up Google, ask it the same thing (via speech) and no problem.
The only thing Siri can do reliably is set alarms. So, since Cortana is already much better than Siri (though worse than Google), why do they even want this g
Re: (Score:2)
They want this guy to continue making sure that Cortana stays much better than Siri.
His actual job at Microsoft will be: "shut up, sit down, drink your coffee and read the news or whatever else you want to do".
Re: (Score:1)
Sexy Sexy (Score:1)
Probably left because he was not having enough time spying on Apple customers having sex