Apple's New CEO Faces AI Test After Cook Era

John Ternus officially became Apple's chief executive on Tuesday, succeeding Tim Cook in the company's first leadership transition since 2011. The handover marks a new chapter for the world's most valuable technology company, which is navigating a rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape and heightened investor expectations. Cook, who transformed Apple from a roughly $350 billion business into one valued at more than $4.5 trillion, will now serve as executive chairman. The transition was orderly, with Apple shares rising about 3% on Tuesday as investors viewed Ternus, a 25-year company veteran and former head of hardware engineering, as a stabilizing choice.