New York: Former Apple CEO John Sculley has indicated that current Apple CEO Tim Cook could be planning to step down in the near future. Speaking at the Zeta Live Conference in New York City last week, Sculley said that whoever replaces Cook will need to help Apple transition from the apps era to the agentic era.

Sculley’s insights on leadership transition

John Sculley, who led Apple from 1983 to 1993, noted the significance of the next CEO’s role in shaping Apple’s future. “When we had apps at the center of everything, it was selling tools, selling products. In the agentic era, we don’t need a lot of apps; it can all be done with smart agents,” he said.

Reports of Cook’s retirement have gained traction in recent months. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently noted in the Power On newsletter that John Ternus, Apple’s hardware engineering chief, is positioned as the leading candidate to succeed Cook. Ternus has recently taken on high-profile duties, including introducing the iPhone Air and leading customer events at Apple’s Regent Street store in London—roles traditionally associated with Cook.

Apple faces new competition in AI

Sculley also commented on Apple’s standing in artificial intelligence, stating that the company has lagged behind in the sector. He described OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, as Apple’s “first real competitor” in decades. “AI has not been a particular strength for them,” he said, highlighting the growing challenge posed by AI-driven technology.

Subscription model and business strategy

The former CEO further emphasized the importance of subscriptions in the modern tech era. “When you think of subscription, it’s about people paying for something as long as they need it,” Sculley said, suggesting that this business model could offer a more sustainable revenue stream compared to the traditional app-focused model.

Conclusion

As Apple navigates the transition from hardware and apps to AI-driven services and subscriptions, the impending leadership change could mark a pivotal moment for the company. Analysts and investors will be closely watching the selection of Cook’s successor and Apple’s ability to compete in the agentic and AI era.