Adobe CEO steps down after 18 years

It’s all change at the top for Adobe as CEO Shantanu Narayen is stepping down after 18 years. He will relinquish the role as soon as a successor has been found, although he will continue to serve as Chairman

Narayen left as the company posted record revenue of $6.4 billion in its first quarter, with the company highlighting its AI capabilities. 

Adobe’s lead independent board director, Frank Calderoni, thanked Narayen in a written statement.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to recognize Shantanu’s contributions as CEO and architect of Adobe’s transformation over the past 18 years, and for positioning Adobe for success in the AI-driven era,” he said.

Success in the AI-driven era is not a given, though, and there are concerns whether Adobe can maintain its position in the light of advances in AI according to analysts quoted in a Bloomberg report on Adobe’s results. Grace Harmon of Emarketer told Bloomberg, “Investors will likely focus on whether incoming leadership maintains a balance between disciplined execution and aggressive AI investment, especially as competition in creative and enterprise AI intensifies.”