CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple announced Monday that Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman of its board of directors, while John Ternus, the company’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become chief executive officer effective September 1, 2026.

The leadership change, unanimously approved by Apple’s board, follows what the company described as a long-term succession planning process. Cook will remain CEO through the summer to oversee the transition and will continue to support the company in his new role, including engaging with policymakers globally.

Cook, who has led Apple since 2011, called the role “the greatest privilege” of his life and expressed strong confidence in his successor. He described Ternus as “a visionary” and said he believes Ternus is “without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.”

Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001, said he was “profoundly grateful” for the opportunity and emphasized continuity in the company’s mission and values. He noted that he had worked under Steve Jobs and alongside Cook, calling his career at Apple “a privilege” that helped shape products used worldwide.

As part of the transition, Arthur Levinson, who has served as non-executive chairman for 15 years, will become lead independent director. Ternus will also join Apple’s board.

Levinson credited Cook with transforming Apple into one of the world’s most valuable companies, citing his leadership in launching new products and expanding services. Under Cook, Apple’s market value grew from roughly $350 billion to about $4 trillion, while annual revenue nearly quadrupled.

During his tenure, Cook oversaw the introduction of products such as Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro, as well as the expansion of services including iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple TV, and Apple Music. The company also significantly expanded its global footprint, now operating in more than 200 countries and territories with over 500 retail stores.

Ternus has played a key role in Apple’s hardware development, contributing to major product lines including iPhone, Mac, and iPad. He has also led efforts to improve product durability, advance materials engineering, and reduce the environmental impact of Apple devices.

The transition marks a significant shift for Apple as it prepares for its first CEO change in more than a decade, while maintaining continuity within its leadership ranks.

Samsung Turns Heads at Milan Design Week 2026 With Immersive ‘Design Is an Act of Love’ Showcase

MILAN, Italy — Samsung Electronics on Monday unveiled its “Design Is an Act of Love” exhibition at Milan Design Week 2026, presenting an expansive showcase of human-centered design concepts aimed at reimagining everyday living through technology.

The exhibition, hosted at Superstudio Più in Milan from April 20 to April 26, features 12 immersive zones and more than 120 products spanning 36 categories. The installation is structured as an open laboratory, offering visitors an interactive look at the company’s evolving design philosophy rather than a finished product showcase.

Samsung said the exhibition reflects a shift toward deeper “human-centricity” and “expressive design,” emphasizing how technology can adapt to diverse lifestyles and emotional needs. The approach extends beyond traditional user experience design to consider how people live, interact, and form connections with devices in daily life.

“Design should reflect the diversity of humanity — embracing different lifestyles, values and ways people live,” said Mauro Porcini, president and chief design officer of Samsung’s Device eXperience division. He added that the company aims to create experiences that feel “relevant, personal and meaningful.”

At the center of Samsung’s vision is a human-focused approach to artificial intelligence, described by the company as “AI x (EI+HI),” combining artificial intelligence with emotional and human intelligence to guide design and functionality.

Each of the 12 zones explores a different aspect of design innovation. Among the highlights is the “Welcome Show,” which introduces Samsung’s concept of a unified AI ecosystem connecting devices and environments. Another section, “Unfold Your Story,” focuses on the evolution of Galaxy foldable devices, showcasing variations in form, color, and user experience.

Other installations include “Wearable & Culinary Intelligence,” which explores connected living across personal devices and home environments, and “Transparent Symphony & All That Music,” featuring immersive audio-visual experiences with transparent displays and speakers. The “Artful Living” zone demonstrates how screens can function as expressive mediums, blending digital content with art and culture through advanced display technology.

A closing installation, the “Goodbye Show,” uses AI-driven interactions combined with sound and lighting to create a sensory experience intended to emphasize emotional connection between users and technology.

Samsung said the exhibition builds on more than three decades of design philosophy centered on people, while offering a preview of how emerging technologies may shape future lifestyles.

The exhibition is open to the public with free admission throughout the duration of Milan Design Week.

Meta and CBRE Launch Nationwide Training Program to Address Fiber Technician Shortage and Expand U.S. Data Center Workforce

April 20, 2026 — Meta Platforms and real estate services firm CBRE Group on Monday announced a new workforce development initiative aimed at training thousands of Americans for jobs in the rapidly growing data center construction sector.

The program, called LevelUp: Fiber Technician Pathway, will provide free, four-week training courses designed to prepare participants for fiber technician roles that support data center construction and operations. The companies said the initiative is intended to address a nationwide shortage of skilled workers at a time of accelerating demand for digital infrastructure.

CBRE will operate the program, while Meta will integrate successful graduates into its contractor network, giving participants opportunities to work on data center construction sites across the United States.

Fiber technicians are responsible for installing and maintaining fiber optic systems that form the backbone of modern data centers, which power cloud computing, artificial intelligence systems, and other large-scale digital services.

“The future of the AI revolution depends on a highly skilled U.S. workforce,” said Dina Powell McCormick, Meta’s president and vice chairman, adding that the company is investing in training to support its infrastructure expansion.

Meta said the curriculum will combine classroom instruction, hands-on labs, and team-based learning, with an emphasis on transferable technical skills applicable across construction and technology infrastructure jobs. Graduates will be eligible for employment opportunities through Meta’s contractor network.

The companies said the program is part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence and advanced computing infrastructure while expanding access to skilled trades careers.

Meta Platforms currently operates or is building 27 data centers in the United States. Since 2010, those projects have supported more than 30,000 construction-related jobs and over 5,000 permanent operational positions, according to the company.

CBRE Chair and CEO Bob Sulentic said the partnership builds on long-standing collaboration with Meta and aims to expand workforce development in technical trades tied to digital infrastructure growth.

Meta also highlighted its broader community engagement efforts, including funding programs for schools and nonprofits in regions where its data centers are located.

The first LevelUp training cohorts are expected to begin this summer.