Apple Vision Pro Leader to Join OpenAI Hardware Team

Paul Meade, who oversaw the Vision Pro headset at Apple, is set to leave the company to become part of OpenAI’s hardware division, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports.

Meade played a central role in developing Apple’s AI-enhanced smart glasses, scheduled for release next year. Despite the Vision Pro’s high cost and limited success, Apple aims to compete with Meta by introducing more affordable wearable technology.

Gurman attributes Meade’s exit to upcoming leadership changes at Apple, specifically John Ternus’ promotion to CEO and his reorganization of the hardware engineering team, which reportedly caused some vice presidents to feel sidelined.

OpenAI is collaborating with former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive on an AI device that CEO Sam Altman describes as more peaceful and calm than the iPhone. However, reports from last autumn indicated challenges in finalizing the product’s design.

Requests for comment have been sent to both Apple and OpenAI by TechCrunch.