A new report from *The Information* details how Craig Federighi, now overseeing Apple's AI organization, rejected an engineer-proposed feature that would use AI to dynamically change the iPhone home screen. Federighi reportedly worried such unpredictability would disorient users accustomed to fixed app locations, preferring deterministic software behavior.

Federighi’s cautious approach stems from his reputation as a cost-conscious executive who scrutinized budgets down to office snacks. He was an AI skeptic until trying OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022, which prompted him to task his teams with integrating similar AI into Apple products. This led to Apple’s recent partnership with Google for Gemini-powered Siri features.

Now, Federighi oversees Mike Rockwell, who runs Siri. Rockwell has previously expressed that Federighi’s software development approach was too conservative. The report suggests Federighi’s frugality and demand for predictability remain potential risks for Apple’s AI ambitions, even as the company pivots toward external models to stay competitive in the AI landscape.