Apple is reportedly set to close its San Diego office, putting the jobs of 121 employees at risk. The tech giant plans to merge the staff from this office with its team in Texas and relocate them to Austin. This move could jeopardize the future employment of the Data Operations Annotations group, which is responsible for improving Apple’s voice assistant Siri in certain languages.
While the plan has not been officially announced, reliable sources suggest that the staff will have the option to relocate by February. However, if they choose not to move, their employment might be terminated by April 26. The announcement about the closure of the San Diego office was made by Christine DeFilippo, a top deputy of John Giannandrea, Apple’s AI chief.
The majority of workers are said to be reluctant to move to Austin, which presents a significant challenge for them as Apple suggests that they apply for other jobs within the company. The lack of an engineering background is a major hurdle for some employees, potentially leading to their termination or exit from the company.
Apple has managed to keep layoffs to a minimum by not over-hiring during the COVID-19-induced lockdowns. To incentivize the staff to sustain their roles, the company will provide $7,000 relocation stipends. However, those who are let go will receive four weeks of severance pay and additional benefits based on their years of service at Apple.
The San Diego office played a crucial role in Siri’s use in various languages such as English, Hebrew, multiple dialects of Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Arabic. It remains to be seen how this relocation and potential layoffs will affect Apple’s AI initiatives and the future development of Siri.
In conclusion, Apple’s decision to close its San Diego office and consolidate its workforce in Austin poses uncertainty for the 121 employees who may have to relocate or face termination. While the company offers relocation stipends and other benefits, the lack of engineering backgrounds among some employees could complicate their prospects within Apple. As Apple focuses on AI-based features and improving voice assistant Siri, the impact of these changes on its overall strategy remains to be seen.
