Google search chief hired by Apple after Siri set-backs

Apple has hired Google’s former head of search and artificial intelligence to lead its machine learning and AI strategy.

The appointment comes at the same time that the tech giant looks to develop its Siri digital assistant.

He previously worked as Netscape’s chief technologist.

Analysts say that Siri, which was first introduced on the iPhone 4S in 2011, has since fallen behind offerings from competitors, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

“Apple keeps more user data on the device, and sends less to its servers, than Google, Amazon or Facebook,” Martin Garner, senior vice president of CCS Insight, told the BBC.

“That’s good for users, but it means it has less detailed data for training its AI models than the other players.

“The AI world will be very interested to hear from Mr Giannandrea how he plans to tackle this dilemma to make Apple’s AI fully competitive.”

In an internal memo obtained by the New York Times, Mr Cook told employees that Mr Giannandrea “shares our commitment to privacy and our thoughtful approach as we make computers smarter and even more personal”.