Is Tim Cook Holding Apple Back in AI? Analysts Urge Leadership Shift

Published: 14 Jul 2025

Author: Precedence Research

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According to the analyst's opinion, Apple might hire a new CEO to stay competitive in the AI race. Tim Cook-Apple's current CEO is responsible for their operational expertise in a top job, though Apple currently needs a CEO who is more focused on the company’s profit. The statement was mentioned by lighted partners, analysts Joe Galone and Walter Piecyk. 

They further explain this by writing in a report by Market Watch, "To be clear, Tim Cook was the right CEO at the time of his appointment and unquestionably has done a great job. Apple has sold over $2.0 trillion of iPhones with Cook as CEO. In fact, iPhone sales could show signs of life this quarter, as tariff-related pull-forwards help stabilize replacement cycles that may finally be bottoming out.”

However, they are still unsure if Apple can deliver new AI features and upgrades under Tim Cook’s direction. They further mentioned this by saying AI will transform industries around the world and Apple risks becoming one of its casualties. This statement was released immediately after Apple announced the retirement of Jeff Williams, its Chief Operating Officer. The company's suggested name for the successor of Jeff Williams is India-born Sabih Khan. He has been working with Apple since 1995 and is highly responsible for revolutionizing the company's global supply chain. Mr. Khan has guided Apple’s operations team by overseeing manufacturing and supplier responsibilities, as well as initiatives for environmental sustainability worldwide. Before this promotion, he was the senior vice president of operations for Apple. 

Apple is perceived as being behind the curve in keeping pace with the high-stakes Artificial Intelligence race. Apple's AI-enabled model, Siri, has also been delayed by more than a year as the company faced technical challenges at the midpoint. According to the analysts, postpone the launch of Siri was an example of overpromising and under-delivering. Missing AI’s growth will fundamentally challenge Appel’s long-term goals and trajectory for further expansion. Last week, Ruoming Poag, a renowned engineer who had been handling the development of foundational AI models at Apple, left Apple to join Meta’s artificial superintelligence unit.