Apple CEO Tim Cook has shared how artificial intelligence (AI) has drastically transformed his daily routine and boosted his productivity, calling the impact “life-changing.” In an interview with Wall Street Journal Magazine, Cook revealed that the AI tools he now relies on save him hours each day, allowing him to streamline his work and focus on what matters most.
Cook’s day starts early—between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., when he checks his iPhone for emails and sales updates. For years, he personally read through each message, including the 800 emails he receives daily, along with customer feedback. This task, though important, was time-consuming and often overwhelming.
However, since adopting Apple Intelligence, Apple’s latest AI-driven tool, Cook’s email management has become far more efficient. The tool is integrated into the Mail app and provides summaries for each email, offering Cook a quick overview of the message content. This AI-powered feature helps him prioritize emails and respond faster, without having to go through each one in its entirety.
In the interview, Cook emphasized the cumulative benefits of AI: “If I can save time in small moments, it adds up significantly over a day, a week, or a month.” By automating the tedious task of sorting and summarizing emails, Apple Intelligence has given him back precious time to focus on more strategic aspects of his role as CEO. “It’s truly changed my life,” Cook said, underscoring just how impactful this shift has been for him.
Apple Intelligence became available on iOS devices on October 28, 2024, and Cook had already been using the tool before it was officially launched. The integration of AI into everyday tools like email is part of a larger trend among high-profile business leaders who are incorporating AI into their routines to save time and improve efficiency.
Cook is not alone in embracing AI for enhanced productivity. Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has also turned to AI tools to manage his overwhelming inbox. Cuban uses Gemini, Google’s generative AI assistant, within Gmail to handle repetitive email responses. This feature suggests responses to routine queries, allowing Cuban to quickly evaluate and send AI-generated replies in seconds, rather than spending time crafting responses from scratch. “It’s reduced the need for me to write out routine replies,” Cuban explained, adding that the AI has freed up his time for more important, strategic activities.
Beyond work, Cuban also uses AI to help with his children’s homework, proofreading for spelling and grammar errors. This not only enhances his productivity but also ensures academic integrity by spotting potential AI-generated content in his children’s work.
Both Cook and Cuban’s experiences highlight the growing influence of AI in everyday life, not just for work but for personal tasks as well. By leveraging generative AI tools, they are able to focus on the bigger picture—whether that’s leading a global tech company or running a portfolio of businesses—while AI takes care of the routine, time-consuming tasks.
As AI tools continue to evolve, it’s clear that leaders like Cook and Cuban are at the forefront of a productivity revolution. What was once an exclusive tool for tech experts is now becoming an integral part of the daily workflows for some of the world’s most successful individuals, helping them save time, improve focus, and enhance their effectiveness.