Meta Platforms Inc. has recruited yet another key artificial intelligence leader from Apple Inc., intensifying the ongoing talent battle between the two tech giants, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Frank Chu, who led Apple’s AI teams specializing in cloud infrastructure, large language model (LLM) training, and search technology, is joining Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL). Both Apple and Meta declined to comment on the high-profile hire.
Apple’s AI Team Hit by Wave of Departures
Chu becomes the sixth senior AI engineer to leave Apple for Meta, following the high-profile exit of Ruoming Pang — creator of Apple’s AI models team — who reportedly left in July for a $200 million pay package.
Since then, other key engineers, including Tom Gunter, Mark Lee, Bowen Zhang, and Yun Zhu, have also defected to Meta. Chu’s departure is seen as particularly significant given his leadership role and responsibilities, including overseeing LLM operations on Apple’s cloud servers and enhancing Siri’s search features.
Meta Expands Superintelligence Ambitions
At Meta, Chu will join a newly formed group called MSL Infra, focusing on building AI infrastructure. The lab was recently reorganized into four divisions under the supervision of Alexandr Wang, former head of Scale AI.
Despite a hiring slowdown, Meta is still aggressively building its Superintelligence Labs. In an internal memo, the company stated it is pausing most hiring to plan 2026 headcount growth, with only business-critical roles approved on a case-by-case basis.
Apple Faces AI Strategy Challenges
Apple, meanwhile, is under pressure as its AI division faces turbulence. The company has delayed a major Siri update and is now exploring the integration of third-party AI models to enhance its voice assistant — a move seen as a significant shift from its usual in-house development approach.
The wave of senior-level departures has raised concerns about Apple’s ability to catch up with rivals in the fast-evolving AI race.
