Apple is set to lose one of its most senior artificial intelligence executives, with Robby Walker preparing to leave the company next month, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter.

Walker, who has been with the technology giant since 2013, currently serves as senior director of Apple’s Answers, Information and Knowledge team, a role he assumed in April. He previously oversaw the Siri voice assistant before its management was transferred earlier this year to Craig Federighi, Apple’s software chief.

AI challenges and departures

His departure comes as Apple faces mounting scrutiny over its cautious approach to AI development. While rivals have raced ahead with advanced models, the iPhone maker’s Apple Intelligence suite, including its integration of ChatGPT, has rolled out slowly, and a major update to Siri has been delayed until 2026.

Apple has seen a string of AI specialists exit in recent months, with several joining Meta Platforms. Those moves included Ruoming Pang, who headed Apple’s AI models, alongside researchers Mark Lee and Tom Gunter, all of whom have joined Meta’s Superintelligence Labs division.

Reports earlier this year suggested that Apple CEO Tim Cook had shifted oversight of Siri to Mike Rockwell, vice president of the Vision Products Group, amid concerns about the performance of AI chief John Giannandrea.

Recent product launch and AI strategy

At its annual product launch last week, Apple unveiled new iPhone models, including the slimmer iPhone Air, but offered little clarity on how it intends to match competitors such as Google, which has highlighted its Gemini AI technology in its latest devices.

Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new feature on Apple smartwatches designed to detect signs of hypertension, the regulator confirmed on Friday.

Apple introduced the blood pressure monitoring capability at its September 9 event, which also saw the unveiling of a refreshed iPhone range, including the slimmer iPhone Air.

The hypertension alert feature will be available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, and the higher-end Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 models before the end of September. Apple said it plans to make the feature accessible in around 150 countries and regions, including the United States and the European Union.

(With inputs from Reuters)

There exists a need for balance while harnessing Artificial Intelligence in sports, said Alan Davis, Marketing Head, CricViz, during a panel at the PlayCom 2025: Business of Sports Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on Saturday.

“With anything to do with AI and technology, it’s about accuracy, depth of data. The one thing that we’re certainly trying to do with Cricviz is maintain the balance of utilising technology and AI with human intelligence.

“So, for example, if we look into our database, we’ve got records of 75,000 cricketers. Ultimately, yes, we can run that through systems and programs and models, but you still need an element of human intelligence to match that. So, I think you’ve got to find that balance across the board. That’s something that we pride ourselves – maintaining that excellent level of human input,” said Davis.

He also pointed out that Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is one of the best examples of how athletes can use technology to maximise performance.

The 38-year-old Djokovic was a consistent presence in 2025, managing to counter the effects of age and reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slams.

“Djokovic happens to be one of our clients for TennisViz. And we’ve been obviously delighted with his performance using our portal. He’s realised that he won’t be able to physically perform often for five sets at the same levels of [Carlos] Sinner or [Jannik] Alcaraz.

“However, if he can work out a pre-match strategy, then he gives himself a far better chance, rather than going into a game on instinct. He’s skilled enough to do that. But ultimately, he and his team will spend some hours ahead of the game planning out,” said Davis.

The session, titled ‘Wired for Winning: Tech, AI & the Science of Sport,’ also featured Iris Cordoba Mondejar, Managing Director, GSIC Powered by Microsoft, and Chintan Shah, SVP – Teams, Leagues & Federations, Sportz Interactive.

Chintan spoke about the seasonal nature of Indian sports and the challenges and opportunities it creates.

“It [seasonality] is a challenge and an opportunity, and that’s very unique to India. Most of our leagues in any sport are of very finite duration, unlike in Europe and U.S. There’s always something that the fan has in terms of relevance to engage with that product. In our situation, when we don’t have that.

“Now, during the off-season, what we try to do, and I think what is important, is to build digital stadiums where you can give those experiences to the fans. And that’s where technology can play a big role.

“Only challenge today, though, is that most of the teams are trying to do this on social media, which is again one too many. I think it’s important to shift the focus from social to doing this on your own platforms, where you can track the user behaviour and drive meaningful conversation,” said Shah.

Meanwhile, Mondejar underlined that technology in sports is not restricted to corporate entities.

“It’s not only an opportunity for entrepreneurs, it’s a need for the government. In a country in Europe where health care is public, you need to prevent obesity in kids. And fitness, wellness, practice, sport, is something that we need to promote in our country and in our family, because it’s the way to reduce the cost of expenses in the future for the hospital, but also for your insurance or for your family or to extend your life,” said Mondejar.

She cited Spain as an example.

“What happened in Spain is something very interesting. In the London Olympics, most of the Spanish medalists were women. But in Spain, it’s fewer women who practice sport than boys. This means the results are better for the girls. But, we need to focus on how we should promote, don’t stop their career when they get to 15.

“With different technologies to scouting, the government opened the school not only for the kids, for the family too. And you can go and accompany your kids to the public school, and you can jump to Zumba classes, or you can play football with dad’s colleague. The idea is to think that sport is something to do in family, and you need to start and continue, like a professional athlete or for fun,” said Mondejar.

The panel was moderated by Mahesh V. Panchagnula, Head, IIT Madras Center of Excellence on Sports Science and Analytics.

Published on Sep 13, 2025

Educators are confronting a new reality as AI tools like ChatGPT become widespread among students. Traditional take-home assignments and essays are increasingly at risk as students commonly use AI chatbots to complete schoolwork.

Schools are responding by moving more writing tasks into the classroom and monitoring student activity. Teachers are also integrating AI into lessons, teaching students how to use it responsibly for research, summarising readings, or improving drafts, rather than as a shortcut to cheat.

Policies on AI use still vary widely. Some classrooms allow AI tools for grammar checks or study aids, while others enforce strict bans. Teachers are shifting away from take-home essays, adopting in-class tests, lockdown browsers, or flipped classrooms to manage AI’s impact better. 

The inconsistency often leaves students unsure about acceptable use and challenges educators to uphold academic integrity.

Institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon have implemented policies promoting ‘AI literacy,’ explaining when and how AI can be used, and adjusting assessments to prevent misuse.

As AI continues improving, educators seek a balance between embracing technology’s potential and safeguarding academic standards. Teachers emphasise guidance, structured use, and supervision to ensure AI supports learning rather than undermining it.

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