What you should know
- Apple is disbanding its 121-person team linked to AI operations in San Diego, potentially leading to job losses if employees choose not to relocate to Austin, Texas.
- The affected team, Data Operations Annotations, enhances Siri’s functionality by reviewing voice service queries. The closure was announced by Christine DeFilippo, a top deputy to Apple’s AI chief, John Giannandrea.
- Employees who decide to relocate by the end of June will keep their roles and receive a $7,000 relocation stipend. Those who choose to leave will receive four weeks of severance, an additional week for each year worked, and six months of health insurance.
- Apple managed to avoid widespread layoffs in the tech sector in 2023, partly because it did not engage in excessive hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic. This contrasts with major companies like X (previously Twitter), Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, which collectively laid off over 50,000 employees.
Full Story
Bloomberg has some news about Apple. The tech giant is reportedly disbanding a 121-person team in San Diego. This team is tied to artificial intelligence operations. This move could put a lot of employees at risk of losing their jobs. That’s the word from sources who know the situation.
This team is called the Data Operations Annotations. They got some news recently. They were told they’d need to pack up and move to Austin. Why? To merge with the Texas segment of the same team. The deadline? End of February. That’s when they need to decide if they’re moving. If not, they’ll be out of a job by April 26.
This group is international. They’ve got offices in various countries. Their job? To make Siri better. They do this by reviewing voice service queries. The one to drop the hammer on the San Diego team was Christine DeFilippo. She’s a top deputy to Apple’s AI chief, John Giannandrea.
Apple confirmed the relocation plan. They said, “everyone currently employed will have the opportunity to continue their role with Apple in Austin.” They’re also stressing their commitment to San Diego. They’re still planning on expanding there.
The San Diego staff were taken aback. They were expecting to move within the city. Instead, they’re being told to move to Texas. Most of the affected workers reportedly don’t want to go to Austin.
Apple has a deal for those willing to move. If they relocate to Austin by the end of June, they’ll keep their jobs. Plus, Apple will give them a $7,000 relocation stipend. For those who decide to leave Apple, their positions will be axed. They’ll get four weeks of severance pay. They’ll also get an extra week for each year they’ve worked. And they’ll get six months of health insurance.
Losing up to 121 employees is a big deal for Apple. The company managed to avoid the widespread layoffs in the big tech sector in 2023. They stayed out of the trend partly because they didn’t hire excessively during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, other major companies weren’t so lucky. X (previously Twitter), Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta all had significant layoffs. Over 50,000 employees were affected collectively. Qualcomm recently added to this trend. They announced plans to cut 1,258 positions across their San Diego and Santa Clara offices.
