From KR Circle to Cupertino: Amar Subramanya's Journey to VP of AI at Apple

In the bustling corridors of Silicon Valley, a quiet revolution is taking place, and at its helm are engineers whose journeys began in the classrooms of namma Bengaluru. While the global tech community discusses the future of Artificial Intelligence, a significant chapter of that future is now being written by an alumnus of University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE). We are talking about Amar Subramanya, the newly appointed Vice President of AI at Apple.

For every student walking through the arches of KR Circle today, Amar’s story is not just a news headline; it is a testament to the fact that the foundations laid in our lecture halls can support the weight of global innovation. From the Stone Building to the spaceship campus in Cupertino, this is the journey of a UVCEian who is now tasked with defining the intelligence of the world’s most premium consumer devices.

The UVCE Foundation (Class of 2001)

Before the PhDs, the patents, and the high-profile roles at Google and Microsoft, Amar Subramanya was an engineering student navigating the academic rigors of Bangalore University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (ECE) in 2001.

The early 2000s were a transitional period for technology. The dot-com bubble had just burst, and the world was slowly waking up to the possibilities of machine learning, though it was far from the buzzword it is today. At UVCE, known for its strong emphasis on fundamental engineering principles, Amar honed the analytical skills that would later allow him to tackle some of the most complex problems in computer science. His journey reinforces a long-held belief among our alumni network: UVCE doesn't just teach you how to code or solder; it teaches you how to learn, adapt, and persevere in changing landscapes.

The Research Scholar: Mastering the Machines

Following his graduation from UVCE, Amar moved to the United States to pursue higher education, a path taken by many ambitious engineers. He earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Washington in 2009. It was here that he began to distinguish himself as a serious researcher.

His doctoral work focused on semi-supervised learning and graphical models. In simple terms, he was working on ways to teach computers to learn from data more efficiently—a critical precursor to the Large Language Models (LLMs) we see today. His co-authored book, "Graph-Based Semi-Supervised Learning," remains a cited reference in the field. This period marked his transition from a student of engineering to a creator of new knowledge, laying the groundwork for a career that would always bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical product application.

The Google Years: Building Gemini and Beyond

Amar’s career trajectory skyrocketed during his 16-year tenure at Google. Joining as a Staff Research Scientist in 2009, he climbed the ranks to become the Vice President of Engineering. His time at Google was defined by his work on deep learning and large-scale AI systems.

Most notably, Amar served as the Head of Engineering for Google Gemini (formerly Bard). Gemini represents Google’s most ambitious effort to integrate multimodal AI into its ecosystem. Leading the engineering efforts for such a massive, foundational model requires not just technical brilliance but immense leadership capability. He was responsible for the architecture that powers millions of queries, ensuring reliability, safety, and speed. When you ask Google a complex question today, there is a good chance you are interacting with systems that Amar helped architect.

A Short Stint at Microsoft and the Apple Call

In a move that surprised many industry watchers, Amar briefly joined Microsoft as the Corporate Vice President of AI in 2025, where he worked on expanding the Copilot ecosystem. However, the allure of Cupertino soon followed.

Apple, known for its secrecy and perfectionism, has been steadily building its "Apple Intelligence" suite. The company needed a leader who understood not just how to build AI models, but how to integrate them into consumer products that prioritize privacy and user experience. Amar Subramanya fit this mold perfectly. As the new VP of Artificial Intelligence at Apple, he reports directly to Craig Federighi, the Senior VP of Software Engineering.

His mandate is colossal: he oversees the development of Apple’s Foundation Models, Machine Learning research, and the critical aspect of AI Safety and Evaluation. He steps into the shoes of John Giannandrea, tasked with ensuring that Siri and iOS features remain competitive against ChatGPT and Gemini.

The Bengaluru AI Triad

Amar is not alone. He is part of a remarkable trio of Kannadigas and Bengaluru-connected technologists who have recently taken top positions in the global AI landscape. This phenomenon highlights the immense talent pool originating from our city and our institutions.

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Why This Matters for UVCE

For the students of UVCE, Amar Subramanya’s story serves as a powerful validation. It proves that the "UVCE" tag on a resume carries weight, not just in Bengaluru, but in the highest echelons of Silicon Valley. We often talk about the legacy of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, but it is equally important to celebrate modern legends who are shaping the 21st century.

Amar’s journey highlights several key takeaways for current students:

• Fundamentals Matter: The core engineering principles learned in undergrad are the bedrock of future innovation.
• Research is Vital: Moving from consuming technology to creating it often requires a deep dive into research and higher education.
• Adaptability: Amar moved from IBM to Google to Microsoft and now Apple. The ability to adapt to different corporate cultures while retaining technical excellence is a hallmark of a leader.

Conclusion

As Apple gears up to redefine the iPhone experience with Generative AI, it is a moment of immense pride for us to know that a UVCE graduate is guiding that ship. From the heritage classrooms of KR Circle to the futuristic rings of Apple Park, Amar Subramanya has truly strided ahead.

To the current batch of CSE, ECE, and ISE students at UVCE: You are sitting in the same classrooms where the VP of AI at Apple once sat. The potential is limitless. Dream big, code hard, and keep the UVCE flag flying high.