Apple Cuts Siri and Vision Pro Jobs to Focus on AI

Apple is laying off employees as part of a restructuring effort to concentrate its resources on artificial intelligence and new devices, according to reports from the Los Angeles Times and Techcrunch. Government filings and sources familiar with the matter indicate that the staff reductions affect close to 150 to over 200 positions, with roles concentrated in software engineering and machine learning at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters and Sunnyvale offices.

Apple Restructures Teams to Focus on Artificial Intelligence

The structural changes impact several key divisions, including teams working on the Siri digital assistant, the Vision Pro headset, and the Intelligent Systems Experience group within the software engineering organization. Apple previously cut 57 jobs in Escondido in June. The latest reductions arrive during a period of transition ahead of a leadership change, as Chief Executive Tim Cook prepares to step down in September and hardware chief John Ternus takes over the helm.

Vision Pro Cutbacks and Shift to Smart Glasses

The hardware adjustments heavily affect the Vision Pro division, where approximately 100 positions are being eliminated, including the closure of a team focused on gaming and a reduction in a unit that produces immersive video content. Launched in February 2024 at a current price of $3,699, the VR headset encountered limited traction among gamers and high production costs for 3D video series.

Despite scaling back these internal teams, Apple assured employees that the Vision Pro and its visionOS operating system are not going away. The company plans to produce a smaller number of immersive videos in-house while encouraging third-party developers to build content. In the near term, Apple has shifted attention toward developing smart glasses to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban products, which will not support immersive video or advanced gaming. The company is also still considering a new Vision Pro model for release as early as the end of 2028, according to previous reports.

Siri Reorganization and AI Workforce Pressures

Another 100 positions are being cut across the Siri and software teams, alongside reorganizations in the Intelligent Systems Experience group, which handles AI features across Apple devices. The changes to Siri are tied to an upcoming AI-powered version of the assistant built on a new technical architecture that requires different expertise. While eliminating some existing roles, Apple is creating new positions to support the updated Siri and speed up development as various groups add AI functions to apps and services.

Apple Cuts Siri and Vision Pro Jobs to Focus on AI — Photo: Techcrunch

Apple confirmed the restructuring in a statement, noting that it was realigning teams to evolve its business and deliver optimal user experiences. The company stated: While we will create new roles as part of this change, it will also impact a limited number of existing roles.

Photo: Los Angeles Times

The cuts at Apple mirror a broader industry-wide trend driven by the artificial intelligence boom. Tech companies across the United States announced 123,653 job cuts during the first five months of the year—a 66% increase from the same period in 2025—according to data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which cited AI advancements as a leading reason for transformations in Silicon Valley roles. At the same time, Apple is navigating other ongoing pressures, including a memory shortage that drove up hardware costs, a new hardware leasing plan, and an active legal battle involving a trade theft lawsuit against OpenAI.