Apple is reportedly planning to combine its Siri quality control team, consisting of 121 employees in San Diego, with the team in Austin, Texas. The move could result in potential layoffs for those who choose not to relocate, with a specified date of April 26, as reported by Bloomberg. An Apple spokesperson confirmed that the Siri quality control team members would have the opportunity to retain their roles by relocating to Austin. However, doubts about qualification for other positions in Austin have left many employees hesitant to make the move, and most are reportedly not planning to relocate.
Apple has been relatively unique among major tech companies in avoiding significant employee layoffs over the past two years. While some tech giants, including Google, Meta, and Microsoft, have implemented workforce reductions, Apple’s approach has been different. For those willing to relocate, Apple is said to be offering $7,000 stipends. Additionally, for employees opting not to move, the company plans to provide four weeks of severance pay, along with an additional week’s worth for each year worked. Health insurance coverage for six months is also part of the severance package.
The San Diego team is responsible for listening to Siri recordings in various languages, including Hebrew, English, Spanish, and Arabic. This move comes as Apple continues to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) development, releasing frameworks and libraries supporting AI development on code repositories. The company is also actively working on optimizing large language models (LLMs) for use on its iPhones, demonstrating its commitment to advancements in AI technology.