Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook told employees that he's “deeply distraught” with the current US approach to immigration and will continue pressing the issue with lawmakers.
“I've heard from some of you that don't feel comfortable leaving your homes,” Cook said during an all-hands meeting with staff on Thursday. “No one should feel this way. No one.”
The CEO added that immigration is especially important to Apple, which has “team members across the US on some form of visa.”
“For as long as I can remember, we have been a smarter, wiser, more innovative company because we've attracted the best and brightest from all corners of the world,” he said. “I am going to continue to lobby lawmakers on this issue. You have my word on that.”
The remarks were part of a wide-ranging discussion that also touched on Apple's artificial intelligence efforts and executive succession. Cook previously addressed immigration in a memo released last week, when he said he was “heartbroken” by events in Minneapolis, where federal agents have killed two people.
“This is a time for deescalation,” Cook said at the time. He also said he had discussed the matter with President Donald Trump. In the wake of the memo, employees privately criticized Cook for what they considered a limited and late response to the shootings.
“Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” the CEO said during Thursday's meeting. “No matter where they come from.” He also responded to an employee who said they were concerned about being deported and separated from their daughter.
Cook said, “I love you if you're on DACA,” referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that allows people who came to the US as a child to remain in the country on a work permit. He said that Apple has hundreds of DACA workers. “I will personally advocate for you,” he said. “I am a huge believer in the program.”
When discussing artificial intelligence, Cook said new devices would take advantage of the technology. He also reflected on the record-breaking holiday quarter results, Apple's services business and plans to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary.
“AI is one of the most profound opportunities of our entire lifetime,” he said, echoing a theme he's explored before. “I truly believe there is no company better positioned to let our customers use AI in profound and meaningful ways than Apple.”
He responded to concerns about rivals launching new types of AI devices: “There will be new categories of products and services that are enabled through AI, and we're extremely excited about that,” he said. “We're excited about the opportunities that it opens for Apple.”
The executive also briefly touched on succession, saying, “I spend a lot of time thinking about who's in the room five years from now, 10 years from now. I am obsessed with this — who's in the room 15 years from now.”
Apple's chief operating officer, environmental affairs head and general counsel all announced plans to retire with the span of a few months — changes Cook said were carefully orchestrated and “not surprises.” He didn't mention AI boss John Giannandrea or design executive Alan Dye, who also recently left their roles.
“This is an important part of leadership, is thinking about these things and having plans in place,” he said.
“You know, when people get to a certain age, some are going to retire,” Cook added. “This is kind of a natural thing.”
He also said the company would be celebrating its half-century anniversary this coming April. “I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment,” he said. “When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart sing. It really does. I promise some celebration.”
Looking overseas, the Apple executive touted the company's strides in places like India and Malaysia. “Emerging markets are such a huge priority for us,” he said. “We still have modest market share in these markets but so much potential.”
He also addressed the tech industry's memory-chip shortage, saying that this is “something we're going to have to deal with.” Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan is focused on the problem, Cook said.
“The top thing is we have the best team in the world dealing with this,” he said. “We have a range of options that we're looking at and will deploy in order to work around it. It is a real issue.”
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