Meta has made a major hire in its push to lead the next wave of consumer technology, bringing on Alan Dye, Apple’s longtime vice president of human interface design, to lead a new creative studio within its Reality Labs division. The move, reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and confirmed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Threads, signals Meta’s growing ambition in AI-powered wearable devices like smart glasses and virtual reality headsets. Dye, who has led Apple’s user interface design team since 2015, played a central role in shaping the look and feel of some of Apple’s most iconic products, including the iPhone X, Apple Watch, and the Vision Pro headset. He was instrumental in developing Apple’s recent “Liquid Glass” design language, which features transparent, dynamic UI elements that blend seamlessly with the device’s display. His team also contributed to Apple’s new smart home hardware and broader software ecosystems. In his new role, Dye will report directly to Meta’s Chief Technology Officer and Reality Labs head Andrew Bosworth. He will lead a newly established creative studio focused on integrating design, fashion, and technology to shape the future of spatial computing and AI-driven devices. Zuckerberg emphasized that the studio aims to treat artificial intelligence not just as a technical tool but as a “new design material,” capable of enabling deeply human-centered experiences. Zuckerberg described the goal as elevating design across Meta by assembling a team with “craft, creative vision, systems thinking, and deep experience building iconic products that bridge hardware and software.” The studio will include other high-profile hires from Apple, including Billy Sorrentino and industrial design lead Pete Bristol, as well as existing Reality Labs leaders such as Joshua To and Jason Rubin. This hire is part of a broader trend of Meta recruiting top talent from rival tech giants to accelerate its AI and hardware ambitions. Earlier this year, Meta poached Ruoming Pang, who led Apple’s AI models team, for its Superintelligence Labs. The competition for AI talent has intensified, with stories circulating about Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally delivering homemade soup to lure OpenAI researchers—prompting OpenAI’s Mark Chen to reciprocate with his own soup deliveries. Apple has confirmed that Dye’s departure will be followed by Steve Lemay, a veteran designer who has contributed to every major Apple interface since 1999, according to a statement from CEO Tim Cook. Apple did not comment further on Dye’s move. Meta’s strategic focus on AI and wearable computing reflects its vision of a future where intelligent devices—especially AI glasses—become central to how people interact with information, each other, and digital environments. The company believes that with the right design, AI can be intuitive, thoughtful, and deeply integrated into daily life. Dye’s appointment underscores Meta’s commitment to building not just powerful technology, but beautiful, usable, and emotionally resonant experiences. As AI continues to evolve, the fusion of design and intelligence will be critical in defining the next era of computing. With Dye’s arrival, Meta is assembling one of the most experienced and creative design teams in the industry, positioning itself to compete not just in software and AI, but in the physical and sensory dimensions of future technology. The success of this new studio could determine whether Meta becomes a leader in the next generation of personal computing.