In his latest blog post, David Heinemeier Hansson argues that Apple is floundering in its AI development because it lacks a tough, results-driven leader—someone he bluntly calls an “asshole.” He contrasts Apple’s current management culture with the hard-nosed leadership of figures like Steve Jobs, who famously tore into teams when they fell short. Citing Apple's delayed AI rollout and mild internal response to failure, Hansson suggests that Apple’s leadership is more focused on emotions than outcomes. His takeaway? If Apple wants to stay competitive, it needs a ruthless visionary willing to demand excellence rather than settle for feel-good efforts.

Key Points:

• Apple’s AI Struggles: The company’s ambitious AI feature, Apple Intelligence, has been delayed until at least the iPhone 17.
• Soft Leadership Style: Apple's AI chief, John Giannandrea, and his team focus on employee well-being rather than demanding accountability for failures.
• Contrast with Steve Jobs: Jobs was ruthless about product quality—when MobileMe flopped, he humiliated the team, demanding: “Why the fuck doesn’t it do that?”
• Lack of a Central Visionary: Hansson argues that CEO Tim Cook divides leadership among multiple senior VPs, diluting the strong product vision that Apple once had.
• Call for a Tough Leader: Apple needs a leader who prioritizes results over feelings—someone who pushes teams beyond their limits to achieve breakthroughs.

Hansson’s provocative take suggests that in tech, kindness doesn't always cut it. What do you think? Does Apple need another Jobs-style leader to stay on top?
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