Apple’s top Vision Pro and smart glasses executive, Paul Meade, is leaving for OpenAI, marking another high-profile defection from the iPhone maker to the AI leader. Meade, who led hardware engineering for the Vision Pro for seven years and oversaw development of display-free smart glasses, will join OpenAI’s hardware unit to work on a family of AI-powered devices. His departure is a blow to Apple, coming as the Vision Pro struggles as a sales flop and the company pivots toward glasses and AI wearables.
Meade’s exit is part of a broader shake-up under Apple’s new hardware chief, Johny Srouji, who replaced longtime head John Ternus as CEO Tim Cook’s successor. Srouji’s restructuring pushed Meade and other vice presidents down a reporting level, leading to discontent and defections. At OpenAI, Meade will reunite with former Apple colleagues Jony Ive, Tang Tan, and Evans Hankey, whose AI hardware startup OpenAI acquired for $6.5 billion.
The move underscores OpenAI’s aggressive talent raid from Apple and its push into hardware, while Apple struggles to find its footing in AI wearables. With the Vision Pro shelved and a cheaper headset not expected until 2028 or 2029, Apple is now prioritizing glasses and other AI devices like smart home products, a tabletop robot, and camera-equipped AirPods. What to watch next: Whether Apple can retain remaining hardware talent and deliver a compelling AI glasses product before OpenAI’s devices hit the market.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Meade, Apple’s Vision Pro and smart glasses chief, is leaving for OpenAI’s hardware unit.
- Meade’s departure follows a restructuring under new hardware chief Johny Srouji that pushed executives down a level.
- OpenAI has now recruited multiple top Apple hardware leaders, including Jony Ive and Evans Hankey.
- Apple is de-prioritizing enclosed headsets and refocusing on AI glasses and other wearables.
Insights & Analysis
- OpenAI is strategically building a hardware team with deep Apple expertise to challenge Apple’s dominance in consumer devices.
- Apple’s internal turmoil under new leadership may accelerate talent loss, weakening its ability to compete in the AI hardware race.