Apple’s CEO-in-waiting John Ternus told employees during an all-hands meeting that the company has an “incredible road map ahead.”
“I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the most exciting time to be building products and services at Apple in my entire career,” said Ternus. While the meeting was for employees only, his comments were reported by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
Ternus, who appeared alongside Apple’s current CEO Tim Cook at the Steve Jobs Theater, particularly expressed optimism about artificial intelligence.
“AI is going to create almost unlimited potential,” said Ternus. “We’re going to be able to keep unlocking possibilities that are going to create entirely new opportunities for our products and services, and I’m so excited about what that’s going to mean for our users.” Unsurprisingly, he did not provide any specific details at this time.
“We are about to change the world once again,” he said.
Ternus, also promised to keep the look and feel of Apple products at the forefront. “We’re going to keep focusing on design, because design is core to what we do at Apple,” he said. “Apple’s brought truly incredible design to more people than any company in history.”
He also added that “there are some things that can never change and won’t change,” promising to keep working on the company’s privacy, security and environmental efforts.
“Who we are as a company won’t change,” said Ternus. “Our mission won’t change.”
As for Cook, he told employees “I’m excited to continue my journey at Apple as executive chairman. I am healthy. My energy is high, and I plan to be in this new role for a long time.”
“I’ll be here to support John in any way he needs and in any way I can,” Cook said. “I’ll be here to offer my knowledge and experience and be a sounding board anytime I’m called upon. Apple will be my top priority. It’s who I am at my core, and I can’t imagine it any other way.”
He also said “there can only be one CEO at a time.”
Ternus will officially become Apple’s CEO on September 1.
