Apple’s Biggest Threat In The AI Race Isn’t Google Or Meta — It’s OpenAI, Says Former CEO John Sculley
Apple is falling behind in the global AI race while rivals like Google and OpenAI are reaping the rewards of years of investment in cutting-edge AI models. Despite its dominance in hardware and ecosystem design, the iPhone maker is still struggling to find its footing in this rapidly evolving space.
Former Apple CEO John Sculley, best known for his historic fallout with Steve Jobs, believes Apple is facing a critical juncture. Speaking at a recent event, Sculley said that OpenAI—not Google or Meta—is Apple’s “first real competitor” in decades, warning that the company must reinvent itself to remain relevant in the new AI-driven era.
Moving Beyond Apps To The Age Of AI Agents
Sculley argued that Apple’s lack of success in artificial intelligence has left it trailing far behind OpenAI and Google. He suggested that the tech industry must now shift its focus from traditional apps to AI agents, which will define the next generation of user experiences.
According to Sculley, Apple needs bold leadership to guide it through this transformation. He hinted that when Tim Cook eventually steps down, the company will require a new CEO capable of leading the charge into the Agentic AI era, where intelligent, adaptive systems will replace app-based interactions.
While Apple is finally investing in AI, Sculley believes its efforts are a year or two late, partly due to internal hesitations and a lack of foresight. That delay has forced Apple to play catch-up against rivals who already dominate the field.
The company’s much-hyped Siri AI overhaul has faced multiple delays and is now expected to debut with an upcoming iOS 26 update next year. Meanwhile, Apple’s smart home ecosystem lags behind competitors like Google’s Gemini for Home and Amazon’s Alexa+.
For Tim Cook, the challenge is enormous — but how he navigates this moment could define Apple’s future for the next decade.
