Apple Inc's AAPL massive $60+ billion cash pile is once again in the spotlight – and with rivals racing ahead in AI, investors are wondering: is it finally time for Apple to make a bold move?The discussion heated up this week after Apple confirmed that COO Jeff Williams will retire in 2025, marking a rare leadership shake-up at the famously stable company. While some see it as a routine transition, others say it’s the opening Apple needs to shift its approach – particularly on artificial intelligence.<h2 id="bjusseufu">AI Spending Gap: Apple Can Afford to Catch Up Fast</h2>While Meta Platforms Inc META, Microsoft Corp MSFT and Alphabet Inc‘s GOOGL GOOG Google have made bold AI acquisitions or launched internal platforms (OpenAI partnerships, Gemini, LLaMA, etc.), Apple has largely sat on the sidelines – despite having one of the biggest acquisition budgets in the game.<ul><li>Read Also: Meta’s AI Empire Grows — Fueled By OpenAI, DeepMind, Apple Defectors</li></ul>While analysts speculate about Apple's next move following the COO exit, the raw numbers suggest it could reshape the AI landscape practically overnight—if it chose to.Wedbush analyst Dan Ives has pointed out potential AI targets like Perplexity, but others believe Apple should think even bigger. Two names at the top of that list? Datadog Inc DDOG, valued at around $48 billion; and Tempus AI Inc TEM, valued at approximately $10.4 billion.Apple's cash reserve – about $60 billion – is more than just a cushion for rainy days. It's a strategic asset that dwarfs the entire market capitalizations of some of the rising tech players. Stripping away real-world constraints like deal feasibility, regulatory approval, or strategic fit, Apple's $60 billion cash reserve is large enough—at least on paper—to outright acquire both Datadog and Tempus AI.In short: if Apple wanted to, and if no constraining rules applied, it has enough cash to scoop up both companies and still have money left over.<h2 id="gfq0mmy1a">Leadership Change Could Signal Strategy Shift</h2>The decentralization of Jeff Williams' role across hardware and operations leaders could loosen Apple's famously tight structure – and perhaps invite more aggressive bets. The market responded mildly, with shares up 0.5%, but the potential is anything but mild.If Apple really wants to make noise in AI, it's got the ammo. Now investors are waiting to see if it pulls the trigger.<ul><li>Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple Smash $10 Trillion—Is This Peak Tech?</li></ul>

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Apple Inc's $60 billion cash reserve is under scrutiny as investors speculate on potential acquisitions in AI, especially following COO Jeff Williams' retirement announcement. With competitors like Meta and Microsoft making significant AI moves, analysts suggest Apple could target companies like Datadog and Tempus AI. The leadership change may signal a shift in strategy, prompting speculation about more aggressive investments in AI. Apple's financial strength positions it to make substantial acquisitions, leaving investors eager to see if the company will act on these opportunities.

- Apple Inc's substantial cash reserve of over $60 billion is under scrutiny as investors question whether the company will make significant moves in AI following COO Jeff Williams' retirement announcement for 2025.  
- Competitors like Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet have made aggressive AI advancements, while Apple has remained relatively passive despite its financial capacity to acquire companies like Datadog and Tempus AI.  
- The leadership change may indicate a potential shift in strategy, prompting speculation about Apple's future actions in the AI landscape as investors await a decisive move.  

Benzinga

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Apple Acquisition Buzz: Its $60 Billion War Chest Is Enough To Buy Datadog And Tempus