Hardware engineering and AI/ML research require different skills, cultures, and approaches. Excellence in one doesn’t transfer to the other.
2. Secrecy vs Openness
Apple’s secrecy culture works for hardware (prevent leaks) but hurts AI (need to publish, collaborate, attract researchers).
3. Integration vs Iteration
Apple excels at integrated products that ship complete. AI requires rapid iteration, public testing, and continuous improvement.
4. Timeline Mismatch
Hardware: 3-5 year development cycles. AI: 3-6 month improvement cycles. Apple’s planning horizons don’t match AI’s pace.
The Clawdbot Proof
Developers buy M4 Mac Minis specifically to run Claude — proving Apple’s hardware is excellent while simultaneously proving Apple’s AI isn’t worth using.
The Strategic Implication
Apple’s hardware moat doesn’t protect against softwareweakness. If AI relationships form with Claude/ChatGPT rather than Siri, Apple becomes a premium delivery layer for others’ intelligence.
Can Apple Close the Gap?
Challenge: AI improving faster than Apple can catch up
Gennaro is the creator of FourWeekMBA, which reached about four million business people, comprising C-level executives, investors, analysts, product managers, and aspiring digital entrepreneurs in 2022 alone | He is also Director of Sales for a high-tech scaleup in the AI Industry | In 2012, Gennaro earned an International MBA with emphasis on Corporate Finance and Business Strategy.
