Tim Cook's MIT Commencement Address 2017

Summary

In his commencement address at MIT, Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasizes the importance of finding one's purpose and serving humanity. He shares his journey of self-discovery, which led him to Apple's mission of empowering individuals and changing the world. Cook also discusses the role of technology, its potential for both good and harm, and the need for human values to guide its use. He encourages graduates to infuse their work with humanity, to stand up for what's right, and to measure their impact by the lives they touch.

Takeaways

• 🎓 **Congratulatory Address**: Tim Cook congratulates the MIT class of 2017 and acknowledges the shared values between MIT and Apple, such as a love for hard problems and innovation.
• 🤝 **Shared Values**: Cook emphasizes the alignment between MIT and Apple in their pursuit of challenging problems and the search for groundbreaking ideas.
• 😄 **MIT Pranks**: He humorously references MIT's tradition of pranks, highlighting the creativity and innovation inherent in the MIT community.
• 🚀 **Personal Journey**: Cook shares his personal journey of self-discovery, which took him 15 years to find his purpose, suggesting that the audience might find inspiration in his experience.
• 🌟 **Apple's Purpose**: He discusses Apple's mission to serve humanity, which became his own after joining the company, highlighting the importance of aligning personal values with one's work.
• 🌱 **Humanity's Service**: Cook encourages the graduates to consider how they will serve humanity, suggesting that working towards something greater than oneself brings meaning and purpose.
• 🔧 **Technology's Role**: He acknowledges the power of technology to change the world for the better but also warns of its potential to cause harm if not guided by human values.
• 🌐 **Global Impact**: Cook points out the global impact of technology, mentioning how it can address complex issues like climate change and educational inequality.
• 🤖 **AI and Human Values**: He expresses concern not about AI but about people losing their human values, such as compassion and concern for consequences, in the face of technology.
• 💡 **Human-Centered Innovation**: Cook argues for technology infused with human values, giving examples of how Apple products have positively impacted people's lives.
• 🌱 **Cultivating Empathy**: He advises graduates to maintain their empathy in their careers, resisting the notion that it has no place in professional life.
• 🌳 **Environmental Stewardship**: Cook shares an anecdote about Apple's commitment to environmental causes, even in the face of shareholder skepticism, emphasizing the importance of standing up for what is right.
• 🌟 **Interconnected Destiny**: He concludes by urging the graduates to live at the intersection of technology and humanity, drawing on Dr. Martin Luther King's message of interconnectedness.

Q & A

Who is the speaker addressing in the transcript?

The speaker, Tim Cook, is addressing the MIT community, including the class of 2017, faculty, trustees, and members of the class of 1967.

What does Tim Cook mention about MIT's tradition of pranks or 'hacks'?

Tim Cook refers to MIT's tradition of pranks, humorously mentioning how students have sent a Mars Rover to the Kresge Oval, put a propeller beanie on the Great Dome, and seemingly taken over the president's Twitter account.

What question does Tim Cook suggest graduates ask themselves as they move forward in life?

Tim Cook suggests that graduates should ask themselves, 'What is my purpose?' and 'How will you serve humanity?'

How long did it take Tim Cook to find his life's purpose?

It took Tim Cook nearly 15 years to find his life's purpose.

What significant event in Apple's history does Tim Cook mention?

Tim Cook mentions the 'Think Different' campaign launched by Steve Jobs when he returned to Apple, which was struggling to survive at the time.

What does Tim Cook say about the purpose of Apple?

According to Tim Cook, the purpose of Apple is to serve humanity.

Who did Tim Cook meet that had a profound impact on his views about technology?

Tim Cook had a meeting with Pope Francis, which he describes as the most incredible meeting of his life and had a profound impact on his views about technology.

What concern does Tim Cook express about technology?

Tim Cook expresses concern that technology, while capable of doing great things, doesn't inherently want to do good and that it requires human values and commitment to ensure it is used wisely.

What advice does Tim Cook give to the graduates about their career and values?

Tim Cook advises graduates not to keep their empathy out of their career, to have the courage to stand up for what they believe is right, and to measure their impact on humanity in terms of lives touched and people served, not in likes or popularity.

What does Tim Cook say about the intersection of technology and the humanities?

Tim Cook emphasizes the importance of the intersection between technology and the humanities, stating that it is the combination of technology with the liberal arts and humanities that makes our hearts sing.

What does Tim Cook encourage the graduates to build with their minds, hands, and hearts?

Tim Cook encourages the graduates to build something bigger than themselves, infusing their work with humanity and striving to create, give, and do the best for everyone.