AI「逼宫」库克？苹果秘密计划曝光，接班人竟是M芯片之父

Core Insights - Apple is reportedly preparing for a leadership transition, with CEO Tim Cook expected to step down in 2026, raising questions about the company's future direction in an AI-dominated landscape [1][9][20] - John Ternus, the current Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, is a leading candidate to succeed Cook, having played a significant role in the development of Apple's M-series chips and various product lines [7][10][12] - Concerns among board members about Cook's ability to navigate Apple through an AI-centric era have intensified, with calls for a product-focused CEO rather than one focused on logistics [9][20] Leadership Transition - Tim Cook, who has been with Apple for 14 years, has transformed the company from a hardware manufacturer to a highly industrialized entity, increasing its market value from approximately $350 billion in 2011 to $4 trillion [15][17] - The board is considering a detailed succession plan, favoring internal candidates, with Cook expressing a strong preference for promoting from within [29] John Ternus Profile - John Ternus, 50, has been with Apple since 2001 and has risen through the ranks, becoming a key figure in product launches and hardware engineering [10][12][14] - His leadership in the development of Apple's custom M-series chips has been pivotal, and he is seen as a potential innovator who could lead Apple into a new chapter [1][12] AI and Innovation Concerns - Apple has been perceived as lagging behind competitors like Microsoft and Alphabet in the AI space, with analysts highlighting the need for a clear AI strategy [19][22] - The company's focus has been more on device-side machine learning rather than developing a comprehensive AI assistant, which has raised concerns about its innovation trajectory [22][24]