Anil Chakravarthy will replace Shantanu Narayen as new AI tools intensify competition in the creative software market
Adobe has announced a major leadership change as the company navigates a period of transformation across the global technology industry.
Anil Chakravarthy has been named the company’s next CEO, replacing Shantanu Narayen, who led Adobe for more than 18 years.
Narayen will remain with the company as executive chair of the board.
Leadership change comes as AI advances
Chakravarthy takes the helm at one of the most important moments in Adobe’s recent history.
The company, known worldwide for programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat, is facing a new generation of tools powered by artificial intelligence.
These technologies are changing the way images, videos and other digital content are created.
At the same time, companies such as Canva and Figma have increased competition in the software market for designers, content creators and businesses.
New CEO already knows the company
Chakravarthy is a longtime Adobe executive and will take over with a mandate to accelerate the company’s artificial intelligence strategy.
The decision to promote an internal executive signals an effort to maintain continuity as Adobe adapts its core products to a rapidly changing industry.
Adobe has been integrating artificial intelligence features across its products and investing in Firefly, its family of generative AI models, as it competes for a larger role in the emerging market.
End of an era in leadership
Shantanu Narayen is stepping down as CEO after more than 18 years at the helm of the company.
During his tenure, Adobe underwent one of the biggest transformations in its history, moving away from the traditional model of selling software and shifting primarily to subscription-based services and cloud computing.
Artificial intelligence has now become one of the biggest challenges shaping the company’s next chapter.
Chakravarthy will officially become CEO on December 1, 2026.
Source: Reuters
