The Power Shift - OUT: Apple versus IN: Nvidia
A symbolic change in tech leadership and relevance
Please let me attempt to briefly express one of my recent observations. I may say a remarkable observation about the changing dynamics of tech leadership influence.
Jensen Huang has indeed become the most sought-after CEO by world leaders. And this is representing a dramatic shift in who holds the keys to the future: industrials, politicians, presidents, and prime ministers are publicly photographing (*) themselves with Mr. Huang.
Analysts point out that Apple hasn’t released a transformative new product in nearly a decade. Apart from the Apple Watch in 2015, subsequent releases - like the Vision Pro headset - failed to reach mainstream traction due to high pricing and limited use cases.
Recent iPhones (like the iPhone 15 and 16) have seen only incremental changes - upgraded cameras, slight battery boosts, lighter materials -leading reviewers and consumers to question if the yearly upgrade cycle is still justified.
In short:
Apple remains behind competitors in generative AI and device innovation.
Siri continues to lag behind Google Assistant and Alexa.
Its “Apple Intelligence” features have been delayed, underwhelming, or incomplete, disappointing users and investors alike.
Under Tim Cook’s leadership, Apple has prioritised supply chain optimisation and incremental ecosystem gains over bold innovation. Critics argue this shift has diluted its product vision and slowed real innovation.
In other words, Apple is resting on its legacy: producing incremental updates instead of transformative devices.
While financially secure and operationally strong, its current direction raises serious doubt about its ability to define the next wave of consumer tech.
Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO is now viewed globally as the architect of the AI era - Nvidia chips (like H100, B200, Blackwell) are the core infrastructure for modern AI models and data centers.
This reflects a real and symbolic change in tech leadership and relevance.
Bottom Line
Jensen Huang has become the de facto ambassador of the AI-powered future, while Tim Cook represents refined but aging innovation.
The optics reflect where power, imagination, and investment are going: toward AI, chips, software (AI-Agents) and the infrastructure of intelligence - not toward iterative consumer gadgets.
(*) Political Photo Ops:
Macron, Scholz, Kishida, Modi, even Biden officials - all have been seen with Huang recently. His presence signals “we’re in the AI game” to domestic and international audiences.
