John Ternus takes over as Apple enters era of AI, foldable phones

John Ternus assumed the role of Apple's chief executive on Tuesday, inheriting a company that dominates the smartphone market but lags behind competitors in artificial intelligence. His primary challenges include maintaining China's influence and navigating political pressure from the White House. Ternus, who joined Apple's design team in 2001, took over from Tim Cook, who led the company for 15 years by building its supply chain.

Ternus, 51, leads engineering teams responsible for Apple's entire product lineup, including the highly profitable iPhones. Apple is set to unveil its first foldable smartphone at its annual event on September 9.

Dan Ives, an investment expert, believes Ternus will focus on hardware innovation while preserving Cook's supply chain. Industry analyst Carolina Milanesi suggests software chief Craig Federighi would have been a better choice for managing AI but acknowledges that consumers still prioritize hardware first. Cook, in his final memo, praised Ternus's engineering expertise, stating that few people understand the complexities involved in creating groundbreaking products.

Ternus, who earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania, is known for enhancing product durability, reliability, and sustainability. The transition to Ternus as CEO comes with numerous challenges, particularly in the geopolitical arena, as Apple's manufacturing operations are heavily reliant on China.

Cook has recently started diversifying production to other countries like India and Vietnam but acknowledges that China remains a critical market. The Sept 9 iPhone event will be the first public demonstration of Ternus's leadership.