Apple to Close San Diego AI Team, Merge with Austin Group
Apple is reportedly closing down a 121-person artificial intelligence (AI) team based in San Diego. This group, called Data Operations Annotations, was informed last week that they would be relocating to Austin to merge with a similar team, Bloomberg News reported Sunday (Jan. 15), citing people familiar with the matter. These sources say Apple told workers they have until the end of next month to decide if they want to move. If they choose not to relocate, they’ll lose their jobs April 26.
Siri’s Enhancements in Question as Apple Restructures AI Team
According to Bloomberg, the team is responsible for enhancing Apple’s Siri listening to user queries, gauging whether the voice assistant heard and handled questions accurately. PYMNTS examined the rise of voice AI in a report last month, noting that voice is one of “the more effortless ways” for users to interact with AI, with 86 million American consumers now using voice assistants each month. But effortless doesn’t equate to flawless, and there are still some kinks to work out around voice AI beyond just conversational realism, including concerns about privacy, security, and the ethical use of voice data.
The Rise of Voice AI: Effortless Interaction, But Some Concerns Remain
Keyvan Mohajer, co-founder and CEO of conversational intelligence platform SoundHound, said in an interview with PYMNTS, that when voice AI first started, consumers wanted to have open-ended conversations with robots but were disappointed because the tools at that time could only perform basic functions. However, the evolution of voice AI has created better user experiences. Today, 63% of consumers would use voice technology if it were as capable as a person, while 58% would use voice if it were easier and more convenient than doing tasks manually. Moreover, 54% of consumers reported that they would use voice AI because it is faster than typing or using a touchscreen.
Voice AI’s Evolution: From Basic Functions to Higher User Expectations
The rise in popularity of voice AI has led to higher expectations from users. In the early days, voice AI could only perform simple functions like playing music or setting timers. But as technology has advanced, consumers are looking for more capabilities from voice assistants. However, there are still concerns about privacy, security, and the ethical use of voice data. These issues need to be addressed as voice AI becomes more integrated into users’ daily lives.
Apple Job Cuts Amidst AI Revolution
Apple’s decision to close down its San Diego AI team and merge it with an Austin group is happening at a time when several other prominent companies, including Google, Amazon, and Citigroup, have also announced layoff plans. The emergence of AI is playing a role in these job cuts as companies divert funds towards the development of this technology, which can perform tasks typically handled by white-collar workers. As the AI revolution continues, more companies may need to restructure their teams and make similar job cuts to stay competitive in the market.
Analyst comment
Positive: Apple’s decision to merge its San Diego AI team with an Austin group reflects the company’s commitment to improving its voice assistant, Siri. This move may lead to advancements in voice AI technology and enhance user experiences.
Negative: The closure of Apple’s San Diego AI team and the potential job losses could have a negative impact on those individuals affected by the decision. It may also indicate a trend of job cuts in the industry as companies prioritize AI development over human employment.
Neutral: The rise in popularity of voice AI and the evolving expectations of users highlight the need for continuous improvement in this technology. Concerns around privacy, security, and ethical use of voice data need to be addressed as voice AI becomes more integrated into daily lives.
