Former Apple CEO John Sculley recently suggested that current CEO Tim Cook may be planning to retire soon. Speaking at the Zeta Live Conference in New York City, Sculley emphasized the need for Apple’s next leader to guide the company into what he termed the “agentic era”—a shift from traditional apps to AI-driven, autonomous systems. Sculley noted that OpenAI now represents Apple’s “first real competitor,” highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the tech industry.
Sculley, who led Apple from 1983 to 1993, pointed out that Apple has lagged behind competitors like OpenAI, Google, Amazon, and Meta in AI innovation. He criticized delays in AI product rollouts, such as the revamp of Siri, and suggested that the next CEO must navigate this transition effectively. Sculley also highlighted the shift toward subscription-based business models, emphasizing that in the “agentic era,” users will pay for ongoing services rather than one-time products.
While Sculley’s comments add to the speculation about Cook’s potential retirement, Apple has not publicly confirmed any plans regarding leadership changes. Cook, who is 64, has not indicated an immediate intention to step down, and the company continues to focus on its strategic initiatives.