Apple CEO Tim Cook Says Technology Can Change the World for Better in Open Letter

[MacRumors]

Apple CEO Tim Cook has penned an open letter for the first issue of Login, a new magazine from Italian publication Corriere della Sera. In the letter, Cook reflects on Apple's commitment to innovation, humanity, the environment, and more.

Cook believes that the world is currently facing a crucial moment in history and that technology will have a profound influence on the future:

As the world emerges from a pandemic that has taken so much away from us in the past two years, we have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the future we want to live in.. The decisions we make today about how to rebuild and where to focus our resources will leave their mark for many decades to come. And while technology will clearly have a profound influence on the future we build, it is important to remember that technology is not inherently good or bad. Its impact will depend on the values and intentions we place at the heart of our innovations.

Cook challenged "innovators" from across Italy to join Apple in using technology to change the world for the better:

We believe everyone has the potential to innovate when they have access to the right tools, especially in a vibrant place like Italy, full of passion and creativity. And we want to help more and more people realize that potential. For this we have collaborated with the University of Naples Federico II and created the Apple Developer Academy, which provides aspiring developers and entrepreneurs with the coding skills necessary to shape their ideas.

The letter reiterates many of Apple's common talking points, including its belief that privacy is a fundamental human right and that it is committed to tackling climate change. In 2020, Apple unveiled a plan to become carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030.

The full letter can be read in Italian on Corriere della Sera's website.

Article Link: Apple CEO Tim Cook Says Technology Can Change the World for Better in Open Letter

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Tim Cook is undoubtedly following in Steve Jobs’ footsteps by continuing to unveil innovative product categories on an almost yearly basis and has continued to roll out technology that has a huge influence on people throughout the world

 

[ghanwani]

Just like anything it can be used for good or bad. Right now it’s being weaponized by governments around the world against their own citizens.

“Privacy is a fundamental right but we’d like to use the hardware you just purchased to check for data on your phone that we think makes you a criminal.”

 

[fenderbass146]

While I fully believe this, it can also be used for the worse. Smartphones directly lead to the social media revolution and enhanced 24/7 news cycle which is rapidly destorying the fabric of our society.

On the other hand, it was a game changer during the panedmic. The panemidc would have been so much harder without the virtual ability to see family/work/etc.

That all said, I'd glady go back in time to a pre-smartphone era. Give me my iPod and my flip phone back with maybe just google maps.

 

[jingbugle]

A tool is a tool is a tool. There are benefits and dangers as well. Let's not showcase just the benefits.

The global connectivity through internet has enabled us to gain a collective consciousness. At the same time, the world is in a darker place than from a century ago.

 

[swingerofbirch]

Tim Cook talks like he's running for president of the world's most boring country.

 

[oliversl]

You can change the world with 1k US$ per user. Apple is a luxury item nowadays.

 

[Attirex]

Too bad there is going to be a nuclear apocalypse in a few days and Tim's insights won't matter! Oh well.

 

[Jamison7]

Yes, it can be used for worse. Think of China's social credit system where technology is used to surveil and punish those that dissent from the gov't. How many of us actually think we're developing in the opposite direction of China?

 

[Bug-Creator]

the world's most boring country

Where is that?


Sounds tempting

 

[now i see it]

the same could be said about a knife

 

[hetrigger]

I refer to my old stand by "To err is human...to really foul things up you need a computer.

 

[ChromeAce]

Yes, Tim, and you can help by removing apps that peddle disinformation on health issues (Spotify) and cut countries actively engaged in war crimes (Russia and China) from the App Store, irregardless of how much they want to bribe you.

 

[tgwaste]

"Apple's commitment to innovation,"

BWAHAHA

 

[DFZD]

Yes it can now only thing that needs to be done is to bring more freedom to iOS and iPad OS.

#OpenUpiOS

 

[jz0309]

Ok then Apple:
Be environmentally friendly and move to USB-C for all devices.
Do NOT bring wasteful wireless charging to any more devices.

LEAD by example

 

[WWPD]

Thanks for the pic...my new wallpaper.

 

[topdrawer]

hypothetically speaking.

 

[MNJohn]

Tim.

If you want to help make the world a better place, why don't you start here?

"Ukrainian vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov today wrote a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook calling on Apple to stop device sales and block App Store access in Russia."

 

[indychris]

I guess technology hasn't done anything to address dictator's pushing for more power and engaging in warfare to get it, not has it given other leaders spines to stand against evil.

Seems like the same 'ole-same 'ole to me...

But at least we can have electric cars charged by fossil fuels and powered by batteries with hazardous materials to help us feel morally superior!

 

[Derekuda]

Was there a giant asterisk at the end of his note... and at the bottom says, "as long as it's profitable to apple".

He's such a two-face it's embaressing. He talks up security and privacy but then continues to not make imessage open to all platforms so that it's precious users have to fall back on an open unencrypted format of SMS everytime they message the 90% of the mobile market that doesn't use an iphone.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Be careful what you cheer on. What you wish to happen to your enemies could someday be used against you. Big Tech (and big media) are amassing more power than our governments could dream of, and they have even less accountability. Wasn’t there just a story of Apple just paying a fine rather than changing their platform? That’s a relatively benign example of what they have the power to do, and how they won’t be bothered by governments trying to control them. They’ll just fund someone else to get into power instead. It’s bigger than Apple, too.

 

[boss.king]

What an incredibly generic press release. Back this up with your actions. You want to help fight climate change? Make your devices more repairable and upgradable. You believe the best tech should be for everyone? Make your stuff more affordable. Open iMessage or adopt RCS so everyone can communicate securely and on a level playing field. You want to help developers make a living from their apps? Clear out the scams from the App Store, then give devs actual ownership over their customers and their relationship.

Talk is cheap, let's see Apple actually address these things on all fronts rather than just the ones that sell more devices and services.

 

[nvmls]

Timmey being Timmey.

 

[MacWorld78]

“it is important to remember that technology is not inherently good or bad.”

Once you hook iPhone or iPad - you can’t simply go back to normal live like 1980 the quality of life was very simple but functional for all humanity.

1980 nobody use mobile phone in their pocket, use the computer at work. Spend time with family at home & kids usually play outside.

Present - you know what going on ? full of problems - hard to get their attention!