Apple has suffered another high-profile executive exit as the senior executive behind the Vision Pro headset prepares to join OpenAI, adding fresh momentum to OpenAI’s growing hardware ambitions.
According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Paul Meade, Apple’s vice president overseeing the Vision Pro product line, is leaving the iPhone maker to join OpenAI’s expanding hardware division.
His departure comes at a crucial time for both companies as competition intensifies to build the next generation of AI-powered consumer devices.
Vision Pro executive heads to OpenAI
Meade played a key role in Apple’s mixed-reality efforts, overseeing the development of the Vision Pro headset, the company’s first major new product category in years.
Beyond Vision Pro, he reportedly also led work on Apple’s upcoming AI-powered smart glasses, a product widely expected to launch next year as Apple looks to challenge Meta’s growing presence in the smart wearables market.
Although Vision Pro generated significant attention when it launched, its premium price tag limited widespread adoption, prompting Apple to shift more attention toward lighter, more affordable smart glasses designed for everyday use.
OpenAI continues building its hardware dream team
Meade’s move strengthens OpenAI’s push beyond software and into consumer hardware.
The ChatGPT maker has been aggressively assembling a team of top engineers and designers as it works on its first AI-powered device in partnership with legendary former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously described the upcoming device as fundamentally different from today’s smartphones, suggesting it will offer a calmer, less distracting computing experience than traditional devices like the iPhone.
While details remain tightly guarded, reports have indicated that the company is still refining the product’s design and long-term vision.
Apple leadership changes continue
Bloomberg’s report also links Meade’s exit to broader leadership changes inside Apple.
The departure reportedly follows internal restructuring within the company’s hardware engineering division as senior executive John Ternus prepares for a larger leadership role widely expected to position him as a future successor to CEO Tim Cook.
The shake-up is said to have left several Apple vice presidents with reduced responsibilities, contributing to dissatisfaction among some senior executives.
AI hardware competition is accelerating
Meade’s departure highlights the increasingly fierce battle for engineering talent as major technology companies race to define the future of AI-powered devices.
OpenAI is no longer competing solely with companies like Google, Anthropic and Meta in artificial intelligence software—it is now investing heavily in hardware, an area long dominated by Apple.
At the same time, Apple is working to strengthen its AI strategy while preparing new wearable products to compete with Meta’s rapidly growing smart glasses lineup.
Neither Apple nor OpenAI had publicly commented on Meade’s reported departure at the time of publication. Still, the move is expected to fuel further speculation about OpenAI’s first consumer hardware product and Apple’s long-term AI roadmap.
