Apple Targets Google Staff To Build AI Team

Apple has poached dozens of AI experts from Google and has created a secretive European laboratory in Zurich, as the tech giant builds a team to battle rivals in developing new AI models and products. From a report: According to a Financial Times analysis of hundreds of LinkedIn profiles as well as public job postings and research papers, the $2.7tn company has undertaken a hiring spree over recent years to expand its global AI and machine learning team. The iPhone maker has particularly targeted workers from Google, attracting at least 36 specialists from its rival since it poached John Giannandrea to be its top AI executive in 2018.

While the majority of Apple's AI team work from offices in California and Seattle, the tech group has also expanded a significant outpost in Zurich. Professor Luc Van Gool from Swiss university ETH Zurich said Apple's acquisitions of two local AI start-ups -- virtual reality group FaceShift and image recognition company Fashwell -- led Apple to build a research laboratory, known as its "Vision Lab," in the city.

Proof noncompetes inhibit salary and innovation

[blahbooboo]

Apple wouldnt ever been able to do this if Google had enforceable non-competes in Europe.

Re:

[timeOday]

I just don't want to know how much these employees were paid to jump ship... not out of concern for apple or google, just simple jealousy. I bet their new salaries are amazing.

Is this even a good fit for Apple?

[xgerrit]

I'm assuming this "secret lab for AI" has been leaked by Apple to try and boost their stock price now that Microsoft has solidly surpassed them as the world's most valuable company due to the prospects of AI.

Apple can certainly put together amazing teams, but they're at best in 5th place in AI (behind Microsoft, Anthropic, Google, Meta and probably others), and a lot of what's driving the excitement of the current gen AI craze is pretty far outside modern Apple's comfort zone.. open source, web-based, publi