Apple’s Vision Pro hardware chief quits, joins OpenAI to build AI devices: Report

Apple’s top executive overseeing its Vision Pro headset and smart glasses program is leaving the Cupertino-based tech giant to join OpenAI, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Reportedly, Paul Meade has been with Apple for more than a decade, leading major hardware engineering efforts at the company. Meade is said to be joining OpenAI’s hardware division next week, where he will work on the company’s upcoming AI-powered devices.

The report notes that Meade’s departure follows a broader restructuring effort at Apple’s hardware division after John Ternus became the company’s CEO earlier this month.

Notably, OpenAI’s AI-powered wearables effort is being led by another former Apple executive, Jony Ive, who was previously in charge of design at Apple and was responsible for iconic products like the original iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

OpenAI acquires Ive’s AI hardware startup I/O ₹6.5 billion deals were made last year, and a new family of AI-first devices is currently being developed.

Who is Meade?

Meade reportedly led Apple’s hardware engineering division for seven years. He is also said to be responsible for the development of Apple’s screen-less smart glasses, which are expected to be released next year and replace the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.

His team, known as Vision Products Group (VPG), is reportedly responsible for the development of a number of AI-related wearable products, as well as future augmented reality glasses that are scheduled to be released at the end of this decade.

Bloomberg reported that Meade’s responsibilities are now being assumed by his longtime deputy Fletcher Rothkopf, who is also responsible for the product design of Vision Pro and smart glasses.

Meade started at Apple in 2010 as a key executive on the iPad, and later became head of iPhone program management in 2012. He joined Vision Products Group in 2017 and took over the hardware engineering division in 2019.

Setback for Apple

The report notes that Meade’s predecessor, Mike Rockwell, previously left Vision Products Group to take charge of Apple’s Siri refresh efforts.

Rockwell has also reportedly brought on several Vision Pro executives to help overhaul Apple’s AI efforts, effectively splitting the Vision Products Group into separate hardware and software teams.

Since the Vision Pro headset has not been a commercial success for Apple, the company is now reportedly focusing its efforts on smart glasses. He reportedly started working on several headset ideas over the past few years, including a cheaper and lighter version of the Vision Pro, before canceling them.

Apple has also reportedly started working on a closed headset, which it doesn’t expect to release until the end of 2028 or 2029.

Apple is also said to be working on a number of AI-powered wearable devices, including smart home devices, a desktop robot, AirPods with cameras, and a wearable necklace.