A senior Apple designer known for shaping the ultra-thin iPhone Air has joined a fast-growing artificial intelligence startup that has already attracted around 30 engineers and designers from major technology companies, highlighting the intensifying battle for AI talent.
The designer, Imran Chaudhri, spent nearly 20 years at Apple, where he contributed to the design of multiple iPhone and iPad generations and helped define the company’s minimalist hardware and interface philosophy. He is closely associated with Apple’s push toward lighter, thinner devices, including the iPhone Air design direction.
Chaudhri has now joined Humane, a company founded by former Apple executives that aims to rethink personal computing through AI-driven, human-centric hardware and software. Humane has been on an aggressive hiring drive, reportedly recruiting talent from Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Meta.
Industry watchers say the move reflects a broader shift in Silicon Valley, where seasoned designers and engineers are increasingly drawn to AI startups offering the opportunity to build entirely new product categories rather than incremental updates to established platforms.
Humane has drawn attention for its ambition to move beyond smartphones and screens, focusing instead on ambient, AI-powered experiences. Its expanding team suggests the startup is accelerating product development ahead of future launches.
For Apple and other Big Tech firms, the transition underscores the growing challenge of retaining senior talent as AI startups gain momentum. For the AI ecosystem, Chaudhri’s arrival adds strong design credibility, reinforcing the view that the next wave of AI products will be shaped as much by design and usability as by algorithms.
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