OpenAI has poached another Apple executive for its hardware division

Paul Meade, a key executive instrumental in the development of Apple Vision Pro and its upcoming smart glasses, is ditching the tech giant to join OpenAI rapidly expanding hardware division. This high-profile defection is a significant win for OpenAI, as it aggressively poaches top talent from Apple to build its own line of AI-powered consumer devices. Meade, who led hardware engineering for Apple Vision Products Group, is expected to start at OpenAI next week, bringing his deep expertise in spatial computing and wearable technology to the AI powerhouse. This move isn't a one-off; it's part of a larger talent exodus from Apple to OpenAI, fueled by OpenAI ambitious push into physical devices and a reported internal shake-up at Apple. Former Apple design guru Jony Ive, along with Apple alumni Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, are already at OpenAI, having joined after OpenAI acquired Ive's hardware startup, io Products, in a hefty $6.5 billion deal in May 2025. OpenAI is targeting a late 2026 or early 2027 launch for its first consumer hardware product, which is rumored to be a screenless smart speaker with a camera, alongside plans for smart glasses and an AI-powered pen. Apple, for its part, has tried to stem the flow of talent with massive bonuses and is undergoing a significant leadership reorganization under its new CEO, John Ternus, and Chief Hardware Officer, Johny Srouji, which reportedly unsettled some senior hardware executives. The race is on for control of the next generation of AI-native devices, and OpenAI, by accumulating Apple seasoned hardware expertise, is signaling it's serious about challenging the established tech giants in this emerging category. Readers should watch closely for OpenAI first product launches in late 2026 or early 2027, which will test whether an AI-first approach can redefine how we interact with technology, and how Apple will respond to this direct competition for both talent and market share.