Samsung hires ex-Apple executive to lead new North America AI Center

Samsung Electronics Co. is combining two North American research centers focused on artificial intelligence technology and hiring an ex-Apple Inc. executive to run the new group, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The company made the announcement internally this week, around the same time Apple kicked off a much-anticipated expansion into AI, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the changes haven’t been announced. Samsung is creating a new operation called the North America AI Center — combining its teams in Toronto and Mountain View, California.