Apple's CEO Tim Cook does not intend to leave his position anytime soon, despite rising pressure and criticism regarding the slow adoption of artificial intelligence in the company's products. Apple is currently undergoing one of its largest management transformations in decades: Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri are departing, while numerous top executives are approaching retirement age, reports Bloomberg.

Amidst this, Meta has poached one of Apple's leading AI specialists, while Apple, according to sources, is scrapping its ambitious redesign of the Liquid Glass interface in iOS 26. Meanwhile, the company is preparing for a generational shift: Williams' responsibilities are being divided among several new leaders, including Sabih Khan, the new COO, and other departmental heads.

Despite Apple facing internal crises—from criticism over its weak presence in AI to stagnation in product innovation—the board of directors remains loyal to Cook. Since 2011, the company's stock has increased by over 1500%, securing Cook's status as one of the most successful CEOs in tech history. Currently, there is no replacement in sight: potential successor Williams is retiring, and other executives either lack the necessary experience or are nearing the end of their careers.

Company leadership acknowledges the need for a refreshed approach: the services division, led by Eddy Cue, publicly warns that Apple risks repeating BlackBerry's fate if it does not adapt to new realities. Initial steps have already been taken: Apple has disbanded the Vision Pro team, moved the development of Siri and robotics to other departments, and, according to unofficial information, is considering acquiring AI companies like Perplexity or Mistral.

A key question remains: who will become the next CEO in case of an emergency? Potentially, this role could be filled by John Ternus, the current head of hardware, who has a 20-year tenure at Apple and experience managing key product lines. However, he lacks financial and operational expertise, requiring a strong team consisting of a CFO and COO.

The scenario of a "CEO on call," should anything happen to Cook, likely involves temporary management by a team including Khan, new CFO Kevan Parekh, and Cook's long-time advisor Deirdre O'Brien. In the long run, the most probable option remains Ternus.