- Product & Design Pulse
- Posts
- Product & Design Pulse v74
Product & Design Pulse v74
CES Arrives with AI Onboard š±
Malcom Jones
January 12, 2026
Welcome to this weekās edition of Product & Design Pulse, where we explore the latest in tech, product, design, and innovation! Appleās quiet succession planning moved into sharper focus as John Ternus emerged as a potential future CEO, underscoring how seriously the company treats long-term continuity. Meanwhile, Europe turned up the heat on AI regulation, ordering X to preserve Grok-related documents through 2026 and signaling deeper scrutiny of generative systems. On the product side, Disney+ teased a mobile-first future with vertical video experiments, while OpenAI faced uncomfortable questions after reports that contractors were told to upload real company documents into AI agents. Rounding it out, Stratechery zoomed out to the bigger pictureāarguing that AIās most profound impact wonāt just be economic, but deeply human, reshaping how we choose to work, create, and find meaning.
š§ Audio Overview [BETA]
For those who donāt have time to read š |
Last weekā¦
Appleās Succession Question Comes Into Focus Around John Ternus
As Apple CEO Tim Cook approaches his mid-60s, attention is increasingly turning to potential successors, with hardware chief John Ternus emerging as a leading candidate. The article outlines how Ternusās oversight of core products like the iPhone and Mac has raised his internal profile. It also highlights Appleās preference for quiet, long-term succession planning rather than abrupt leadership transitions.
EU Orders X to Preserve All Grok Documents Through 2026
The European Commission has ordered X to retain all documents related to its AI chatbot Grok until the end of 2026. The directive is tied to ongoing regulatory scrutiny under EU digital laws, including concerns about data handling and transparency. The move signals escalating oversight of generative AI systems operating in Europe.
Disney+ Experiments With Vertical Video Formats
Disney+ announced plans to test vertical video content optimized for mobile viewing, revealed during CES. The initiative reflects an effort to adapt premium streaming content to social-media-driven consumption habits. Executives framed the move as experimentation rather than a wholesale shift away from traditional long-form programming.
OpenAI Tells Contractors to Upload Real Company Documents to Agents
A Wired investigation found that a contractor working with OpenAI was told to upload real workplace documents into AI agent systems during testing. The incident raises questions about data governance, consent, and safeguards in AI development workflows. It underscores growing risks as AI agents gain access to more realistic, high-stakes inputs.
AI and the Human Condition ā Stratechery
Ben Thompson explores how AI reshapes not just industries, but fundamental aspects of human work, creativity, and meaning. He argues that AIās biggest impact may lie in redefining what humans choose to do, rather than what machines can automate. The essay frames AI as a societal force that demands philosophical as well as economic consideration.
