Report: Apple Vision Pro leader Paul Meade is leaving for OpenAI

In short: A senior Apple executive who led the Vision Pro headset is reportedly moving to OpenAI to work on new devices.

What happened

Paul Meade, the Apple vice president in charge of the Vision Pro headset, is leaving Apple and joining OpenAI’s hardware team, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.

Gurman also reports that Meade led development of Apple’s AI-powered smart glasses that Apple plans to launch next year. Smart glasses are glasses with built-in computers and cameras (like having a phone on your face, but smaller).

The report says the move is connected to changes inside Apple’s hardware group. Gurman describes it as part of a shake-up tied to John Ternus’ expected promotion to Apple CEO, which reportedly left some vice presidents feeling they had less authority.

On OpenAI’s side, the company has been building a team focused on hardware, meaning physical products instead of just software. OpenAI is already working with former Apple design chief Jony Ive on an AI device. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously said he wants it to feel “more peaceful and calm” than an iPhone, although earlier reports suggested the project has been difficult to finalize.

TechCrunch reported that it contacted Apple and OpenAI for comment.

Why it matters

Executive moves like this can shape what products get built next. For regular people, it could affect what future devices look like and how you interact with AI in daily life, especially if AI shifts from being mostly an app on your phone to something you wear or carry.

Source: TechCrunch AI