“Apple Announces Closure of 121-Member Unit, Potential Ripple Effect in India Unveiled”
In a strategic move, Apple has decided to close down its 121-member artificial intelligence (AI)-focused unit, Data Operations Annotations, based in San Diego. The team has been given the option to relocate to Austin, Texas, merging with an existing team conducting similar operations, but those who decline the offer face termination by April 26.
In a strategic move, Apple has decided to close down its 121-member artificial intelligence (AI)-focused unit, Data Operations Annotations, based in San Diego. The team has been given the option to relocate to Austin, Texas, merging with an existing team conducting similar operations, but those who decline the offer face termination by April 26.
The decision, communicated to the team on Wednesday, underscores Apple’s efforts to streamline its operations and consolidate AI-related functions. A spokeswoman for the tech giant confirmed the relocation plan, stating that the Data Operations Annotations team in the US will be centralized at the Austin campus, where a majority of the team is already situated. The spokeswoman emphasized Apple’s ongoing commitment to San Diego, where it has witnessed significant growth.
Staff members have until the end of February to decide whether to move to Austin or not. Those who opt for relocation will be transferred by the end of June and receive a stipend of $7000. On the other hand, employees who reject the offer will be laid off, provided with four weeks of severance (with an additional week for each year worked), and offered health insurance coverage for six months.
The Data Operations Annotations unit played a crucial role in enhancing Siri, Apple’s voice assistant. The team’s responsibilities included analyzing queries to Siri in various languages, such as Hebrew, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and French, ensuring accurate responses. This move raises concerns, especially as reports suggest that a significant number of employees are reluctant to relocate.
The closure of the San Diego unit could have wider implications for Siri development and the affected employees. Apple has offices for this unit not only in the US but also in China, India, Ireland, and Spain. The decision to shut down the San Diego unit reflects Apple’s ongoing efforts to optimize its operations while raising questions about the future of AI-related functions within the company.
Sources By Agencies
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