Sam Altman praises Tim Cook amid Apple leadership transition

Tributes from across the technology industry have poured in following the announcement that Tim Cook will step down as chief executive of Apple later this year.

Among those leading the praise was Sam Altman, who described Cook as a “legend” and thanked him for his contributions to both Apple and the broader tech landscape.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) Altman noted: "Tim Cook is a legend. I am very thankful for everything he has done and I am very thankful for Apple."

Cook, who took over from Steve Jobs in 2011, will officially hand over the CEO role in September.

He will remain with the company as executive chairman, marking a transition rather than a full departure.

During his nearly 15-year tenure, Cook oversaw a dramatic transformation of Apple, growing its market value from around $350 billion to more than $4 trillion and solidifying its position as one of the world’s most valuable companies.

The leadership change has drawn reactions from across the industry. Former Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer praised Cook for successfully stepping into what he described as “the biggest shoes” in corporate leadership, while analysts highlighted his role in building Apple into a financial powerhouse.

Meanwhile, Oculus founder Palmer Luckey struck a lighter tone, referencing a past remark by Donald Trump in a tongue-in-cheek post.

Apple has named John Ternus, its Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, as Cook’s successor.

A nearly 25-year veteran of the company, Ternus has played a key role in product development, including the transition to Apple’s in-house M-series chips.

Analysts say the appointment signals continuity in Apple’s strategy, with Ternus expected to build on Cook’s legacy while guiding the company through its next phase of innovation.

The transition marks the end of a defining chapter for Apple, as the company prepares to enter a new era under fresh leadership.