Apple will combine a team of 121 employees in San Diego with one in Austin, Texas, and any employees who choose not to move could be laid off on April 26. ai-team-in-reorganization?sref=ExbtjcSG”>according Bloombergwhich reported that an Apple spokesperson confirmed that the team, which listens to recordings of Siri's interactions to ensure it responded appropriately, “will have the opportunity to continue its role with Apple in Austin.”
The article reports that staff were surprised by the relocation, which Apple had indicated would involve a move to another campus in San Diego at the end of January, rather than going to Texas. The company has reportedly told employees they can apply for other jobs within the company, although some doubt they are qualified for other Apple roles in the city and most do not plan to move.
This is to be expected given the abruptness: it is practically guaranteed that some will not be able to uproot themselves so suddenly. So his departures wouldn't be a firing per se, but he's not far from it. Apple has largely avoided layoffs as other companies have made deep cuts over the past two years.
For those who move, Bloomberg writes that they will receive stipends of $7,000, while Apple will offer the others four weeks of severance pay plus another week per year of work, as well as six months of health insurance. The San Diego team reportedly listens to Siri recordings in multiple languages, including Hebrew, English, Spanish and Arabic.
