After a 15-year tenure, Tim Cook has stepped down as CEO of Apple, handing the reins to John Ternus, 51, who has worked at the company since 2001. Ternus, a veteran of Apple’s hardware engineering team, assumes leadership at a pivotal time, as the company prepares to launch new products and navigate the AI landscape.

Ternus’s rise to the top was gradual. He joined Apple as a product design team member and quickly climbed the corporate ladder. His career highlights include overseeing the development of key products like the AirPods, Apple Watch, and the Vision Pro. Ternus is known for his attention to detail and dedication to quality, values he hopes to uphold as CEO.

As Apple looks to compete in the AI race, Ternus faces significant challenges. He will need to navigate the integration of Google’s Gemini AI into Siri, while also steering the company towards its future with Apple silicon and other proprietary technologies. Ternus’s experience and commitment to craftsmanship will be crucial as he leads Apple into the next era.