Apple Inc. is experiencing a notable departure of senior artificial intelligence (AI) researchers, with approximately a dozen key staff members leaving in recent months. These departures include many individuals involved in the development of foundation AI models, a core part of Apple's AI team which consists of around 50 to 60 people. The talent exodus is reportedly benefiting competitors such as OpenAI, Meta, xAI, and Cohere. Industry observers suggest that these losses could complicate Apple's efforts to enhance its AI-driven features and the development of Siri improvements scheduled for 2026. Recruiters have described the current environment as highly favorable for AI engineers seeking new opportunities, indicating a competitive talent market in the AI sector. The Financial Times first reported on this trend, highlighting the challenges Apple faces amid the ongoing AI talent war.