CUPERTINO, June 8 — Tim Cook delivered his final keynote as Apple chief executive at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference, closing nearly 15 years at the helm.
He announced in April that he would step down as CEO, calling it the right time, and Apple confirmed hardware chief John Ternus as his successor. The leadership change takes effect September 1, 2026, after which Cook will transition to the role of Executive Chairman. His farewell WWDC keynote put artificial intelligence at center stage, headlined by a rebuilt Siri powered by Google’s Gemini models, with a dedicated app, multi-step command support and Dynamic Island integration, alongside new Apple Intelligence features, expanded child-safety tools and the next generation of Apple’s operating systems.
Tim Cook’s tenure, which began in 2011 following the death of co-founder Steve Jobs, saw Apple grow into one of the world’s most valuable companies. The transition marks the end of an era and hands Ternus the task of steering Apple deeper into the AI era.
Apple’s rebuilt Siri, powered by Google’s Gemini models, is a significant development, offering a dedicated app, multi-step command support, and Dynamic Island integration.
Several new features were also announced, including new Apple Intelligence features, expanded child-safety tools, and the next generation of Apple’s operating systems. As the company prepares for the leadership change, John Ternus will take the reins as CEO, effective September 1, 2026.
With his background as hardware chief, Ternus is well-positioned to lead Apple into the AI era. The company is navigating this transition and continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible with technology. With the WWDC keynote behind us, the focus now shifts to the future, and what Apple has in store for its users.
As the company embarks on this new chapter, the future of technology is exciting, and Apple is poised to play a major role in shaping it.
