Apple’s struggling AI push has hit another hurdle, with one of its most senior executives set to leave the company next month.

Robby Walker had been overseeing Apple’s new AI-powered search tool, slated for release next year and designed to compete with services like Perplexity and ChatGPT.

His departure raises questions over whether that timeline will now slip.

Walker, who once led Siri development, was most recently senior director of Apple’s “Answers, Information and Knowledge” team.

The move marks the latest in a string of high-profile exits from Apple’s AI division.

Earlier this year, Ruoming Pang, head of Apple’s AI models team, jumped ship to Meta, taking several engineers with him.

Frank Chu, another senior figure in search services, also made the move to Meta, fuelling concerns about a talent drain just as Apple tries to prove its relevance in the generative AI race.

Walker’s career at Apple was closely tied to Siri. He managed the voice assistant until earlier this year, when oversight shifted to software chief Craig Federighi after long-promised improvements were delayed.

In a March internal meeting, Walker defended the assistant’s progress, likening Apple’s journey to “swimming hundreds of miles” but still being criticised for not reaching “Hawaii.”

The leadership shake-up comes at a time when rivals are racing ahead.

Google has rapidly expanded its Gemini-powered Pixel phones, while Microsoft and Meta continue to double down on advanced AI systems.

Apple, meanwhile, has been accused of moving too cautiously.

The company did announce its “Apple Intelligence” suite of features earlier this year, bringing large language models to iPhone and Mac.

But investors and analysts remain concerned about whether the tech giant can close the gap with competitors.

Apple’s stock has fallen nearly 7% in 2025, reflecting investor unease over its AI strategy.

While shares gained 1.7% on Friday in New York trading, the ongoing exodus of senior AI talent could put further pressure on confidence in Apple’s long-term plans.

Apple has not commented on Walker’s exit.