
Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, less than two months into his role, has issued a reminder to the entire AI industry: don’t build AI for AI’s sake. In a recent interview with Wired, he said Apple will certainly use AI—but ideally, users shouldn’t need to care whether a feature is powered by AI or traditional software; they should simply judge whether the product works well. He also expressed skepticism that AI agents will ultimately replace existing apps, believing that product creation remains deeply human-driven. I actually agree with this perspective. Many tech companies today are eager to stuff AI into every corner of their products, showcasing dozens of features at launch—yet few are truly useful in daily life. But Apple has its own challenges. With Siri lagging so far behind, Ternus’s product philosophy could be either a wise restraint or a way to buy time during a phase of technological catch-up—only time will tell what products he delivers. One interesting detail from the interview: Ternus has never met Trump, while Tim Cook, the former CEO, continues to serve as Executive Chairman, offering support on policy and government relations. It seems Apple’s new and former CEOs have already divided responsibilities: Ternus focuses on products, while Cook handles the complexities in Washington.