According to The Rundown AI, Apple is making strategic preparations for a post-Tim Cook era by quietly advancing internal leadership, with a focus on AI-driven innovation to sustain its market lead. The report highlights that Apple's next CEO candidate is already positioned, reflecting the tech giant's long-term vision in artificial intelligence and machine learning. This transition signals significant opportunities for AI startups and enterprise vendors to align with Apple’s evolving technology stack, especially as Apple deepens investments in generative AI and proprietary silicon optimized for AI workloads. Industry watchers can expect increased demand for AI talent and solutions that integrate seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem, enhancing business value for both developers and end-users (source: The Rundown AI, tech.therundown.ai/p/apples-next-ceo-is-already-waiting).