On the Eve of Apple's 50th Anniversary, Cook Denies Retirement Rumors: Can't Imagine Life Without Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook dismissed rumors about his upcoming retirement during a media interview on Tuesday, calling such reports purely speculative.

When asked about reports suggesting he might step down, Cook responded, “No, I’ve never said that. I love my work. I joined Apple 28 years ago, and I enjoy every day since.”

He also added that he “cannot imagine life without Apple.” This statement comes at a time of turbulence within Apple’s executive ranks.

Background: Since last year, there have been reports that Cook might step down as early as 2026, with Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus considered the most likely successor.

Well-known Apple leaker Mark Gurman also stated in January that Apple has expanded Ternus’s authority, further solidifying his position as a potential successor to Cook.

In December last year, Apple lost AI chief John Giannandrea, Chief Legal Officer, and a key design executive within a week; meanwhile, chip chief Johny Srouji reportedly signaled possible departure.

These personnel changes have sparked market doubts about whether Cook’s operational management style is suitable for the AI era.

Cook’s reassurance came at a critical time: Apple is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 1.

Market expectations include the launch of the first foldable iPhone and AI glasses this year, along with the need to fulfill promises of major Siri upgrades that were not delivered in 2025.

LightShed Partners analyst Walter Piecyk is among the most outspoken critics. In December, he warned that Apple might cede dominance in AI to Google.

He said at the time, “You’re basically handing AI over to Google, just like you did with search back in the day.” He believes this reliance could eventually help Android gain market share from iPhone, as more development and integration work will be done within the Android ecosystem.

Apple failed to deliver the promised Siri upgrade last year, but has since partnered with Google to introduce its Gemini model on iPhones to support AI features. Critics argue this arrangement could deepen Apple’s dependence on its direct competitor.

Piecyk sees 2026 as an ideal time for Cook to step down: Apple’s stock price is near all-time highs, consumers are extending upgrade cycles, and carriers are increasing subsidies, fueling a new upgrade cycle. He believes this will allow Cook to hand over leadership at a high point and entrust the AI transformation to his well-trained successor.

Tariffs, AI, and other topics

However, Cook’s comments on Tuesday did not show any signs of rushing to step down. He described AI technology as having “profound significance” and defended Apple’s privacy-centric AI strategy.

Regarding tariffs, Cook was vague about whether legal actions would be taken, only saying the company is “closely monitoring the situation” and will “make appropriate decisions based on circumstances.”

When asked about Apple’s greatest contributions over the past 50 years, Cook highlighted the company’s innovation across multiple industries. “You can focus on those landmark moments, like reshaping the music industry, redefining smartphones, bringing creative arts and graphic design into the mainstream, and saving lives through the Apple Watch.”

Cook also expressed concern about how people use technology. “I don’t want people to overuse these devices. I don’t want people staring at their phones more than making eye contact with others. Endless scrolling isn’t how you should spend your day. Get outside, connect with nature.”

On AI, Cook said whether the technology is transformative depends on how humans use it. “I think AI is very profound and can have a huge positive impact. But technology itself isn’t good or evil; it’s in the hands of users and creators.”

He reaffirmed Apple’s stance that privacy is a fundamental right and explained how the company handles user data. “We process as much as possible on the device. Devices are encrypted, which means even Apple cannot access the data.”