Apple Hires Nvidia AI Director With Experience in Self-Driving Car Systems

Apple has hired Nvidia's Jonathan Cohen, director of deep learning software for the company, according to Cohen's LinkedIn page, which was first spotted by Re/code. Deep learning essentially trains computers to recognize patterns in data and then organizes them in a similar way to humans. Nvidia uses deep learning in its Nvidia Drive PX platform, which is used to power self-driving cars.


Cohen's LinkedIn page doesn't list an official title with Apple, instead only listing "Software" as his position. He's held multiple positions within Nvidia since joining the company in 2008, starting out as a Senior Research Scientist and building his way to Director of Deep Learning Software this year. Cohen also has experience working with Nvidia's CUDA platform, which is used to power GPUs in broad-ranging use cases like air traffic control and blood flow prediction software.

As noted by Re/code, Apple currently uses deep learning for Siri and Apple Maps. It's unknown what Cohen's expertise could be applied to at Apple, but at this year's CES Cohen was explaining how Nvidia's deep learning technology was being used in its self-driving car platform Drive PX.

Apple has met with California DMV officials regarding self-driving car laws within the state and multiple reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that the Cupertino company is exploring the functionality with the possibility of including it in a later iteration of the much-rumored Apple Car.

In recent years, Apple has poached employees from Tesla, Ford, GM, A123 Systems and Samsung for its secretive automotive project. More recently, it's hired away talent from electric motorcycle startup Mission Motors, who had to close its doors after the talent drain. In September, it was reported that Apple was labeling the car project a "committed project", speeding up development and aiming for a 2019 launch date.

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Creator Studio

Apple's Next Launch is Today

Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available. Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
Apple Logo Black

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...

Top Rated Comments

blackboxxx Avatar
134 months ago
Idle Apple Car speculation



* looks like Magic Mouse… on wheels
* Gorilla Glass windshield (though Apple would prefer if you didn’t know that)
* car chassis is unibody made out of machined anodised aluminium
* the car scratches easily, leading to a booming growth of a whole industry of third-party covers
* available in Space Grey, Silver, Gold and Rose Gold (*actually pink)
* uses Apple-designed CPU and motors (*built by Samsung)
* runs carOS (iOS-derived)
* no steering wheel or pedals, everything is controlled using Siri and touchscreen gestures (with 3D touch)
* Taptic Engine built into the seat gently taps your butt if you doze off while driving
* for a more traditional experience, pair your iPhone with Apple Car and tilt to steer (like in racing iOS apps)
* just like Magic Mouse, charging port is on the bottom of the car
* you can avoid having to lift your car manually in order to reach charging port by using Apple Jack (*optional accessory, not included)
* uses non-removable and non-user-serviceable Li-Ion battery
* battery that no longer holds charge can be replaced at the nearest Genius Garage (for a fee, of course)
* charging cable uses yet another Apple proprietary connector
* adapters for common US and EU sockets available, featuring scratch-prone white plastic handles with no grip whatsoever
* you have to provide your Apple ID and activate the car over the internet before you can drive anywhere
* self-driving mode only supports POIs that exist in Apple Maps
* new iCloud app: Find My Car
* before every OTA update you have to read through and accept 100+ page long Terms & Conditions
* base model still comes with 16 GB storage
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
garirry Avatar
134 months ago
please don't make a self-driving car, Apple

please :(
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
subjonas Avatar
134 months ago
He keeps saying, "Somehow it learns..."

Apparently it's a mystery even to the director.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RockSpider Avatar
134 months ago
I wonder how long before they start poaching people from McDonalds, there's money to be made in fast food as well, they might be able to make the thinnest burgers for the most money.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RockSpider Avatar
134 months ago
please don't make a self-driving car, Apple

please :(
If it comes with Apple Maps, buy a thick Bible and learn to pray fast.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsmurf Avatar
134 months ago
People who say that neural networks model the human brain have never studied the human brain.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)