Munster Challenges Ternus to Make a Big AI Hire on Day One

Veteran tech investor Gene Munster believes Apple's new CEO John Ternus should make a big splash in the artificial intelligence space on his first day. In an X post, Munster 'humbly suggested' that Ternus hire a top AI talent before year-end, even if it costs $50 million annually.

Munster listed three benefits of making this move: recruiting AI talent, injecting energy into product development, and increasing Apple's stock price. He warned that AAPL risks losing control of the interface between consumers and AI, which is moving faster than the smartphone era did.

The pressure on Ternus to reinvent Apple is immediate, as the company still trails its rivals in AI after delays to its revamped Siri and weak Vision Pro sales. Reuters reported that OpenAI has hired roughly 400 Apple employees for its hardware initiative, while Meta has also recruited senior Apple AI talent.

Munster thinks Ternus' hardware background and recruiting experience could help him make a difference. He needs to 'light up recruiting and bring in awesome talent,' because Apple still needs to reinvent itself.