Paul Meade, Apple’s vice-president responsible for the Vision Pro headset, is leaving the technology giant to join OpenAI’s hardware division, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Meade is also said to have overseen the development of Apple’s AI-powered smart glasses, which the company is expected to introduce next year.
While the premium-priced Vision Pro failed to achieve widespread commercial success, Apple is now pinning its hopes on a more affordable pair of smart glasses to strengthen its position against Meta in the growing wearable technology market.
According to Gurman, Meade’s departure is linked to an impending leadership transition that is expected to see John Ternus become Apple’s next chief executive.
Ternus is reportedly restructuring the company’s hardware engineering division, a move that has left several vice-presidents feeling their responsibilities have been diminished.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is continuing its collaboration with former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive on an AI-focused consumer device.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has previously described the product as a more peaceful and less intrusive alternative to the iPhone, although reports last autumn suggested the project was still facing design and development challenges.
