Tech journalist Mark Gurman reported on August 30 that Apple's hardware engineering chief, John Ternus, will officially step into the role of Chief Executive Officer on September 1, with artificial intelligence set to become the top priority during his tenure. Gurman noted that Apple plans a full rollout of the new Siri AI in September and will continue advancing AI-capable products, including smart home devices that can recognize users and deliver personalized content, camera-equipped AirPods with environmental awareness, and smart glasses. Ternus has also championed using AI to refine product development, hardware testing, and device reliability.

Meanwhile, Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to debut at the September 9 launch event, which will mark Ternus's first major product showcase after assuming the CEO position. In an earlier announcement on April 20, Apple confirmed that John Ternus, currently Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, would succeed Tim Cook as CEO starting September 1, with Cook transitioning to the role of Executive Chairman of the board. The statement also revealed that Arthur Levinson, who has served as non-executive chairman for the past 15 years, will become Lead Independent Director on September 1, and Ternus will join the board the same day.

This marks Apple's first CEO transition since 2011. Tim Cook, now 65, took the helm shortly before Steve Jobs's passing, and Ternus will become Apple's eighth Chief Executive Officer. At 51, Ternus is close in age to Cook when he assumed the role. A mechanical engineer by training, Ternus graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997, where he excelled academically and as a standout swimmer. A 1994 campus newspaper article highlights his collegiate achievements, including winning both the 50-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley at a single meet. He was also named an "all-time letter winner" for Penn's men's swim team, setting a record for the most varsity appearances.

After graduation, Ternus joined "Virtual Research Systems" as a mechanical engineer. Though the company is little known today, it was part of the early virtual reality wave during the 1980s and 1990s, focusing on VR headsets and immersive technology. This four-year stint exposed Ternus to cutting-edge display technology and human-computer interfaces. In 2001, he joined Apple's product design team at a pivotal moment in the company's history—Steve Jobs had returned, the iMac had reinvigorated the brand, and Apple was poised to launch products that would redefine the industry. Starting as a relatively junior member of the product design team, Ternus initially handled external Mac displays. By 2013, he was promoted to Vice President of Hardware Engineering, overseeing development of AirPods, Mac, and iPad. In 2020, his responsibilities expanded to include iPhone hardware engineering. In January 2021, Ternus was elevated to Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, taking leadership of all of Apple's hardware engineering teams and joining the executive leadership group.