iPhone Air Designer Leaves Apple for AI Startup

Abidur Chowdhury, the industrial designer who introduced the iPhone Air during Apple’s September event, has left the company for an unnamed AI startup. People inside Apple say the move made waves, since Chowdhury had a growing reputation on the design team. The news first appeared in Bloomberg, which notes his LinkedIn profile still lists Apple as his employer. This continues a recent pattern of talent—and not just engineers or AI researchers—leaving Apple, including others who went to Jony Ive’s team at io before it was acquired by OpenAI. According to the report, Chowdhury’s exit isn’t linked to the launch of the iPhone Air itself. No word yet on the identity of the startup or on public statements from Chowdhury or Apple.