Apple has hired Samy Bengio, former Google scientist. Bengio led Google’s AI ethics group until last month when he left amid a broader reorganization in the team.
Based on today’s report, Bengio will lead a new AI research unit at Apple under John Giannandrea. He is a senior vice president of machine learning and AI strategy. As Bengio, Giannandrea joined Apple after working for years at Google.
How Bengio left Google
The backstory of Bengio’s departure from Google made the news headlines last month. Bengio led hundreds of researchers on the Google Brain team. However, as a result of a reorganization of the research unit, their role was reduced.
The ousted Ethical AI co-leaders, Timnit Gebru and Margaret Mitchell, briefed Bengio and considered him an ally. In February, Google reorganized the investigation unit, placing the remaining members of the Ethical AI group under Marian Croak, eliminating Bengio’s responsibilities.
In November, Bengio’s then-manager, Megan Kacholia, met Gebru to demand that she remove an article co-written with Mitchell and other Google researchers that criticized an artificial intelligence technology that powers some of Google’s search results. In early December, Google fired Gebru in what she called a layoff. In February, the company fired Mitchell.
Before leaving Google, Gebru and Mitchell had raised concerns about the company’s workplace diversity and research review method. Bengio voiced his support for his former colleagues and became the highest-rated Googler to leave the employer in the aftermath.
At Apple, Giannandrea serves as Senior Vice President of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Strategy. A report from last year also indicated that Apple had shifted its autonomous car project to Giannandrea.
Giannandrea himself also joined Apple after more than 15 years at Google. At Google, he had served as the company’s head of search and artificial intelligence.
Machine learning – one of Apple’s priorities
Apple uses machine learning to improve the quality of photos taken with the iPhone. Furthermore, it applies surface suggestions of content and apps that users might want to use, power smart search features across its various software offerings. It assists in palm rejection for users writing with the iPad’s Pencil accessory and much more.
Giannandrea talked about the importance of offering experiences to users. He emphasized the importance of Apple creating its software, hardware, and connections. This avoids third-party interference by providing users the most fruitful experience possible. He compared it to Google, his previous company, which does not offer a product that can be used on a large scale.
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