Tim Cook reactions: Sam Altman, Palmer Luckey react to Apple CEO move

In a significant shake-up, Apple has announced that Tim Cook will step down from his role as CEO, effective September 1, with John Ternus set to take the helm. Cook has been at the forefront of the company since 2011, following the resignation of its iconic founder, Steve Jobs. Industry leaders quickly took to social media to share their thoughts on Cook's legacy. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed his gratitude on X, stating, "Tim Cook is a legend. I am very thankful for everything he has done and I am very thankful for Apple." This reflects the deep respect many hold for Cook, especially as Apple and OpenAI have collaborated since 2024 to integrate AI technologies into Apple's products. Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR, also chimed in, humorously referencing a memorable moment from 2019 when President Donald Trump mistakenly called Cook "Tim Apple." Luckey's post, which read "RIP Tim Apple," highlights the lighter side of tech leadership. John Ternus, who has been serving as Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, will officially step into the role of CEO next month. Following this transition, Cook will take on the position of executive chairman, marking the end of an era for the tech giant.