Veteran tech investor Gene Munster has offered a specific challenge to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) incoming Chief Executive Officer John Ternus for his first day in office. Munster, a managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, suggested on social media that Ternus should make a splashy artificial intelligence hire by the end of the year, even if it costs $50 million annually.
Munster outlined three primary benefits to this strategy, noting that the cost would be offset by immediate returns. He argued the move would help recruit AI talent, inject energy into product development, and that the stock price would rise as a result. The investor emphasized that Ternus’ first priority should be to reverse the brain drain, warning that Apple risks losing control of the consumer interface as AI moves faster than the smartphone era.
The challenge comes as Apple transitions leadership following Tim Cook’s departure on September 1. Ternus, a product-focused executive with a background in hardware, faces pressure to reinvent the company after delays to its revamped Siri and weak sales of the Vision Pro headset. Reports indicate that rivals such as OpenAI and Meta Platforms have already recruited senior personnel from Apple’s AI ranks, including Ruoming Pang, who led Meta’s foundation-models team.
Munster noted that Ternus’ background could be an asset in this effort. He stated that the choice of a product person was important and that Ternus needs to focus on recruiting to bring in top talent. The investor previously argued that the leadership change could reset Apple’s narrative and potentially increase the company's valuation multiple.
