Apple is dealing with an internal shakeup as a rising star from its industrial design team, Abidur Chowdhury, has dramatically departed the tech giant to join a burgeoning Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup. The exit of the designer, who played a key role in developing the recently launched iPhone Air, has reportedly “made waves” within the company.

The move is the latest sign of the intense industry pivot toward AI, a sector increasingly attracting top talent away from established hardware firms.

Chowdhury’s High-Profile Role

Chowdhury was considered a significant figure in the design team, having joined Apple in 2019 around the time legendary design chief Jony Ive departed. His influence was highlighted when Apple selected him to be a public face for the company, presenting the design and features of the new iPhone Air in a video during its September launch event. This public exposure is a major endorsement of a designer’s prestige within Apple.

The iPhone Air itself had been praised for its design, despite facing weaker-than-expected sales, and a follow-up model is reportedly in development for 2027. Chowdhury’s exit comes at a critical time for the product line.

Why the Tech Titan Got Ghosted

The departure, first reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, is part of a larger trend of designers leaving Apple’s ranks. While some veterans have retired or moved to Jony Ive’s new firm, LoveFrom, Chowdhury’s decision to specifically join an AI startup underscores the massive talent war currently dominating Silicon Valley.

This internal shift occurs as Apple’s design teams have been restructured to report directly to CEO Tim Cook, a move intended to re-emphasize the importance of design following the recent departure of Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams. However, losing a prominent designer to a competing AI venture is a clear signal that the best minds are chasing the new frontier of artificial intelligence over traditional hardware.

In short, the iPhone Air designer just gave Apple a huge “it’s not me, it’s the AI money” moment.