How about both. Google, Microsoft, and Facebook both pay their researchers very well and let them publish extensively. That's why they have world-leading research organizations, and Apple does not.
Do you have evidence that Apple pays AI researchers less than those other companies? Honestly I'm not sure that you even understand the argument you're trying to make. The rest of us here certainly don't.
In my experience, the offers that google, fb & netflix give are better than the offers that amazon, msft & apple give on a consistent basis. 'Special' people will get special offers, but we would have to compare their offers of what they would get elsewhere, and if their special skill would be equally valued at other companies.
Apple has an institutional memory of almost dying, so they can be a very 'cheap' company under the hood when they can get away with it. It reflects in their pay.
Just because you aren't understanding doesn't mean most others aren't. He clearly said the other companies have an AND situation in regards to pay and publishing. He is saying Apple does not, as it does not allow proper publishing.
I.e. {'Pay' AND 'Publishing' > 'Pay'}
not {Apple 'Pay' < Other 'Pay'}
I'm not saying it's a _bad_ move. It's just insufficient. And until they unclench wrt publishing nothing is going to change for them. And even after they do that, it will take a lot of convincing (and large wads of cash) to hire the best talent that can not only get Siri to catch up to Google, but overtake it.
My problem is not with Giannandrea's new position, it's with the lack of urgency on Apple's part. My patience has been wearing thin as of late.