Meta is really validating its ambition. The company has hired Alan Dye, the longtime head of human interface design at Apple, as it steps up efforts to build new AI-powered consumer devices. Apple confirmed on Wednesday that Dye will leave the company at the end of the year. He will officially join Meta as chief design officer on December 31. Dye began working at Apple in 2006 and has led the design of its software interfaces and product experiences since 2015.
During his time at Apple, Dye helped shape the design of several major products, including the Vision Pro headset, the iPhone X, and the Apple Watch. He also guided large redesigns of Apple’s operating systems and apps. His move to Meta highlights the company’s growing ambition to expand beyond social media and deepen its presence in consumer hardware. Meta already makes AI-powered smart glasses through its partnerships with Ray-Ban and Oakley, but the company wants to build a wider range of devices.
Bloomberg News, which first reported the hiring, also said that veteran Apple designer Stephen Lemay will take over Dye’s role. Apple CEO Tim Cook praised Lemay, saying he has helped shape every major Apple interface since 1999. Dye’s exit comes at a time when Silicon Valley companies are in a fierce competition for top talent, especially as they race to develop advanced AI products and hardware.
Meta has been moving quickly to secure experienced designers and engineers, including making hires from major companies and forming deals with startups. Dye’s departure adds to a recent wave of senior-level exits at Apple, which has also lost Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and former AI chief John Giannandrea in recent months.