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LightShed Urges Apple to Appoint Product-Focused CEO After AI Delays

The board has reaffirmed support for Cook, installing Sabih Khan as COO with John Ternus viewed as his eventual successor.

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, California, on June 9, 2025.
An Apple store on September 20, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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A person wears Vision Pro headset the product release at the Apple Store in New York City on February 2, 2024. The Vision Pro, the tech giant's $3,499 headset, is its first major release since the Apple Watch nine years ago.

Overview

  • LightShed Partners analysts Walter Piecyk and Joe Galone argue that Apple needs a product-focused CEO to overcome AI development setbacks.
  • The research firm warned that without breakthrough AI features, Apple risks falling behind competitors that have surged ahead in the technology race.
  • Apple’s shares have declined 16% so far in 2025 compared with gains of 25% at Meta and 19% at Microsoft.
  • Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams will step down this month and be replaced by longtime Apple executive Sabih Khan.
  • Despite the call for new leadership, Apple’s board remains loyal to Tim Cook and has shown no intention of forcing an immediate succession change.