Cook charted his own path as chief executive after the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011. Over nearly 15 years, he expanded Apple's business and navigated the company through major challenges.

Tim Cook had a highly successful tenure as Apple's CEO, but he leaves his successor with a big gap to fill when it comes to the company's position in AI.

Tim Cook’s job was to make Apple boring—and he did. Cook, Apple’s chief executive officer, is stepping down after 15 years in the role. He had succeeded Steve Jobs after the visionary co-founder of Apple Computer Company left only months before dying of pancreatic cancer in 2011.

Apple announced that CEO Tim Cook will step down from the role later this year and John Ternus will take his place.

Apple may be transitioning into a new era with a new CEO, but that doesn't mean the tech giant isn't moving full steam ahead with new product launches in 2026.