ENGLISH SPEECH | TIM COOK: Serve Humanity (English Subtitles)

Summary

In his commencement address at MIT, Tim Cook discusses the importance of technology serving humanity with compassion and values. He shares his journey to find purpose and emphasizes the need for technology to be infused with human values. Cook highlights the potential of technology to solve global issues but warns against its misuse, urging graduates to use their skills for the greater good and to remain focused on serving humanity.

Takeaways

• 🤝 The importance of technology serving humanity: The speaker emphasizes the need for technology to be designed and used with a clear purpose of benefiting humanity.
• 🧠 Concern over human-like thinking in computers: There's more worry about humans starting to think like computers, lacking values and compassion, than about computers becoming human-like.
• 🎓 The journey to find purpose: The speaker shares their personal journey of finding purpose, which took 15 years and involved various life stages and experiences.
• 🏫 The influence of education: The speaker acknowledges the power of education, particularly MIT's role in shaping the future through science and technology.
• 🔍 The role of Apple: Apple's mission to empower 'The Crazy Ones' and to serve humanity is highlighted as an example of a company with a clear and compelling purpose.
• 🌐 The potential and pitfalls of technology: Technology is a double-edged sword, capable of great things but also of causing harm if not guided by human values.
• 🌱 The meeting with Pope Francis: The speaker recounts a meeting with Pope Francis, who expressed deep concern about the moral implications of technology.
• 💡 The necessity of the humanities: The humanities are crucial for guiding technology, as they provide context, history, and a moral compass.
• 🌟 The impact of individual actions: The speaker encourages graduates to measure their impact by the lives they touch and the service they provide, not just by popularity or likes.
• 🌍 The interconnectedness of life: Drawing on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, the speaker stresses that all life is interconnected, and our actions should reflect this understanding.

Q & A

What is the main concern the speaker expresses about technology?

The speaker is not as concerned about artificial intelligence enabling computers to think like humans, but rather about people thinking like computers without values, compassion, or concern for consequences.

Why did the speaker feel aligned after joining Apple?

The speaker felt aligned with Apple because it brought together challenging, cutting-edge work with a higher purpose of serving humanity, which resonated with the speaker's own deep need to serve something greater.

What is the speaker's advice for finding one's purpose in life?

The speaker suggests that one should work towards something greater than oneself to find meaning and purpose, and to carry the question of how they will serve humanity forward.

What did the speaker learn from meeting with Pope Francis?

The speaker learned that technology is integral to our lives and mostly a force for good, but its potential adverse consequences are spreading faster and deeper than ever before, and that technology should be used wisely.

How does the speaker view the role of technology in solving global problems?

The speaker believes that technology alone is not the solution, but it can be a powerful tool in addressing global challenges like cancer, climate change, and educational inequality when infused with human values.

What is the speaker's stance on the integration of technology and the humanities?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of combining technology with the liberal arts and humanities to create a more human-centered approach that can have a significant positive impact on people's lives.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate the positive impact of technology?

The speaker mentions how an iPhone can enable a blind person to run a marathon, an Apple Watch can detect a heart condition before it becomes a heart attack, and an iPad can help a child with autism connect with the world.

Why did the speaker tell someone at a shareholders meeting that if they couldn't accept Apple's position, they shouldn't own Apple stock?

The speaker was responding to a shareholder who questioned Apple's investment in environmental initiatives that might not have a direct return on investment, emphasizing that Apple does things because they are the right thing to do, not just for financial gain.

What is the speaker's advice for dealing with cynicism and negativity?

The speaker advises not to let the noise of cynicism and negativity knock one off course, to avoid getting caught up in trivial aspects of life, and not to become a troll or listen to them.

How should one measure their impact according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests measuring one's impact not in likes or popularity, but in the lives touched and the people served.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Humanizing Technology

The speaker begins by addressing the paradox of technology, which is meant to connect us but can also divide us. They express a concern not about AI thinking like humans, but rather about humans thinking like computers—lacking values, compassion, and foresight. The speaker congratulates the MIT class of 2017 and shares anecdotes about MIT's pranks, highlighting the institution's innovative spirit. They emphasize the importance of having a purpose and share their personal journey of finding it, which was significantly influenced by joining Apple during a period of transformation under Steve Jobs. The speaker describes Apple's mission to empower creative individuals and change the world, aligning with a higher purpose of serving humanity.

05:01

🌐 Serving Humanity with Technology

The speaker discusses the concept of finding one's purpose and how their 15-year search led them to Apple, where they discovered a company with a clear mission to serve humanity. They reflect on the importance of aligning with a purpose-driven company and leader, and the realization that technology without human values can be as harmful as it is beneficial. The speaker also shares a meeting with Pope Francis, who expressed concerns about the power of technology and the need for wisdom in its application. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for the graduates to use their knowledge in science and technology to solve global challenges, but to do so with a human-centered approach, infusing technology with values to ensure it benefits all of humanity.

10:03

💡 The Power and Responsibility of Technology

In this paragraph, the speaker warns against the dehumanizing effects of technology and the potential for it to divide rather than connect. They stress the importance of humanities and the liberal arts in guiding technology development, ensuring it serves humanity with empathy and consideration. The speaker shares examples of how Apple's products have made a positive impact on people's lives, emphasizing the need to keep humans at the center of technological innovation. They encourage the graduates to maintain their values and humanity in their work, resist cynicism, and measure their impact not by popularity but by the lives they touch and the service they provide.

15:04

🌟 Creating a Better Future Through Technology

The speaker concludes by urging the graduates to live at the intersection of technology and humanity, to strive for excellence in creating and giving, and to serve everyone equitably. They reference Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of interconnectedness and the collective responsibility to build a better world. The speaker expresses optimism in the graduates' ability to make a difference and reiterates the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of opposition. The speech ends with a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to the class of 2017, emphasizing the hope and potential they represent for the future.

Keywords

💡Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the video, the speaker expresses concern not about AI itself, but about the potential for humans to start thinking like computers, losing their values and compassion. This highlights the importance of maintaining human qualities in an increasingly technological world.

💡Values

Values are principles or standards of behavior that guide an individual or society. The speaker emphasizes the importance of human values in the development and use of technology, arguing that technology is not inherently good or bad but is shaped by the values of its creators and users. Values are integral to ensuring technology serves humanity in a compassionate and ethical manner.

💡Compassion

Compassion is the feeling of empathy and the desire to alleviate the suffering of others. The video script warns against a future where people might start thinking like computers, devoid of compassion, which is a critical human quality. The speaker suggests that maintaining compassion is essential in a world increasingly influenced by technology.

💡Consequences

Consequences refer to the results or effects of an action or decision. The speaker is concerned about the potential for technology to be used without considering the consequences, which could lead to negative outcomes. The importance of thoughtfulness and foresight in technological advancements is underscored, as technology without ethical considerations can lead to unintended harm.

💡Purpose

Purpose is the reason for which something is done or created, or the intended effect of an action. In the script, the speaker discusses their personal journey to find purpose, which eventually led them to Apple with its mission to serve humanity. The concept of purpose is tied to the idea that individuals and organizations should have a clear and meaningful goal that goes beyond mere profit or technological advancement.

💡Technology

Technology encompasses the tools, systems, and methods used in the creation and processing of goods and services. The video script discusses 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. The speaker calls for a responsible and ethical use of technology.

💡Humanity

Humanity refers to the human race collectively, or the qualities that define humans, such as kindness and compassion. The speaker repeatedly emphasizes the importance of serving humanity, suggesting that all actions and innovations should be directed towards the betterment of people. The concept is central to the video's message about the role of technology in society.

💡Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. The script mentions that people should not keep their empathy out of their careers, suggesting that empathy is a crucial quality for professionals, especially in the tech industry, to ensure that technology is developed and used in ways that are considerate of human needs and emotions.

💡Innovation

Innovation refers to the introduction of new ideas, devices, or methods. The video script praises MIT for its tradition of innovation, highlighting the importance of new ideas in driving progress and solving global challenges. Innovation is presented as a powerful tool when it is aligned with a higher purpose, such as serving humanity.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility is the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or being accountable for it. The speaker discusses the immense responsibility that comes with the power of technology, emphasizing that with great power comes the obligation to use it wisely and ethically. The concept of responsibility is closely tied to the video's theme of using technology to serve humanity.

💡Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts are the branches of knowledge that include the humanities, social sciences, and arts. The speaker mentions that technology alone is not enough and that it should be 'married with the liberal arts and humanities' to create a more holistic and human-centered approach. This underscores the importance of a well-rounded education and the integration of creative and critical thinking skills in technological development.

Highlights

Technology can divide us as much as it connects us, and there's a concern about people thinking like computers without values or compassion.

MIT and Apple share a love for hard problems and the pursuit of big ideas that can change the world.

MIT's tradition of pranks, or 'hacks', showcases the creativity and innovation of its students.

The speaker's search for purpose took 15 years and involved various life stages and experiences.

Apple's mission to serve humanity was a significant turning point for the speaker's sense of purpose.

Technology is not enough; it needs to be combined with the humanities to make a meaningful impact.

Pope Francis's insights on technology's power and the importance of using it wisely were influential.

The potential adverse consequences of technology are spreading faster than ever before.

The importance of not letting technology divide us and the need for human values in technology.

The speaker's concern about people thinking like computers, lacking values and compassion.

The humanities are essential to guide us in the use of technology, providing a moral compass.

Technology infused with human values can make progress possible for everyone.

The speaker encourages graduates to measure their impact on humanity, not in likes or popularity, but in the lives they touch and the people they serve.

The importance of not getting caught up in the trivial aspects of life and staying focused on what really matters.

The speaker's experience of having to defend Apple's environmental stance to shareholders.

The call to action for graduates to build something bigger than themselves and to always remember the interconnectedness of all life.

The optimism in the potential of the graduating class to serve humanity and create a better world.

Transcripts

sometimes the very technology that is

meant to connect us

divides us I'm not worried about

artificial intelligence giving computers

the ability to think like humans

I'm more concerned about people thinking

like computers without values or

compassion without concern for

consequences

hello MIT

thank you

congratulations class of 17.

I especially want to thank chairman

Millard president reiff distinguished

faculty trustees

and members of the class of 1967.

it's a privilege to be with you today

with your families and your friends

on such an amazing important day

it might tea and Apple share so much

we both love hard problems we love to

search for new ideas

and we especially love finding those

ideas the really big ones

the ones that can change the world

I know MIT has a proud tradition of

pranks

or as you would call them hacks

and you've had pulled off some pretty

great ones over the years

I'll never figure out how MIT students

sent that Mars Rover to the Krusty oval

or put a propeller beanie on the great

Dome

or how you've obviously taken over the

president's Twitter account

I can tell college students are behind

it because most of the tweets happen at

3am

[Applause]

I'm really happy to be here

today is about celebration

and you have so much to be proud of

as you leave here to start the next leg

of your journey in life

there will be days where you will ask

yourself

where is all this going

what is the purpose

what is my purpose

I'll be honest

I asked myself that same question

and it took me nearly 15 years to answer

it

Maybe by talking about my journey today

I can save you some time

the struggle for me started early on

in high school

I thought I'd discover my life's purpose

when I could answer that age-old

question what do you want to be when you

grow up

nope

in college I thought I would discover it

when I could answer what's your major

not quite

I thought that maybe I discover it when

I found a good job then I thought I just

needed to get a few promotions

that didn't work either

I kept convincing myself

that it was just over the horizon

around the next corner

nothing worked

and it was really tearing me apart

of me kept pushing ahead to the next

achievement

and the other part kept asking

is this all there is

I went to grad school at Duke looking

for the answer

I tried meditation

I sought guidance and religion

I read great philosophers and authors

and in a moment of youthful indiscretion

I might even

have experimented

with a Windows PC

and obviously that didn't work

after countless twists and turns at last

20 years ago

my search brought me to Apple

at the time the company was struggling

to survive

Steve Jobs had just returned to Apple

and had launched a think different

campaign

he wanted to empower The Crazy Ones The

Misfits the Rebels the troublemakers the

realm pegs and the square holes to do

their best work

if we could just do that

Steve knew we could really change the

world

before that moment I had never met a

leader with such passion or encountered

a company with such a clear and

compelling purpose

to serve Humanity

it was just that simple

serve Humanity

and it was in that moment after 15 years

of searching

something clicked

I finally felt aligned aligned with a

company that brought together

challenging Cutting Edge work with a

higher purpose

aligned with the leader who believed

that technology which didn't exist yet

could reinvent Tomorrow's World

aligned with myself

and my own deep need to serve something

greater

of course at that moment I didn't know

all of that

I was just grateful to have that

psychological burden lifted

but with the help of hindsight

my breakthrough makes a lot more sense

I was never going to find my purpose

working someplace without a clear sense

of purpose of its own

Stephen Apple freed me to throw my whole

self into my work to embrace their

mission and make it my own

how can I serve Humanity

this is life's biggest

and most important question

when you work towards something greater

than yourself you find meaning you find

purpose

so the question I hope you will carry

forward from here

is how will you serve Humanity

the good news is since you're here today

you're already on a great track

at MIT you've learned how much power

Science and Technology had to change the

world for the better

thanks to discoveries made right here

billions of people are leading healthier

more productive more fulfilling lives

and if we are ever going to solve some

of the hardest problems still facing the

world today everything from cancer to

climate change to educational inequality

then technology will help us do it

but technology alone

isn't the solution

and sometimes

it's even part of the problem

last year I had the chance to meet with

Pope Francis

it was the most incredible meeting of my

life

this is a man who has spent more time

comforting The Afflicted in slums than

he has with heads of state

this may surprise you

but he knew an unbelievable amount about

technology

it was obvious to me that he had thought

deeply about it its opportunities its

risks

it's morality

what he said to me at that meeting

what he preached really was on a topic

we care a lot about at Apple

but he expressed a shared concern in a

powerful new way

never has Humanity had such power over

itself

yet nothing

ensures that it will be used wisely he

has said

technology today is integral to almost

all aspects of Our Lives

and most of the time it's a Force for

good

and yet the potential adverse

consequences are spreading faster and

cutting deeper than ever before

threats to our security threats to our

privacy fake news and social media that

becomes

anti-social

sometimes the very technology that is

meant to connect us

divides us

technology is capable of doing great

things

but it doesn't want to do great things

it doesn't want anything

that part takes all of us

it takes our values and our commitment

to our families and our neighbors and

our communities our love of beauty and

belief that all of our faiths are

interconnected

our decency

our kindness

I'm not worried about artificial

intelligence giving computers the

ability to think like humans

I'm more concerned about people thinking

like computers without values or

compassion without concern for

consequences

that is what we need you to help us

guard against

because if silence because if science is

a search in the Darkness

then the humanities are a candle that

shows us where we've been and the danger

that lies ahead

as Steve once said

technology alone is not enough

it is technology married with the

liberal arts married with the humanities

that make our hearts say

when you keep people at the center of

what you do it can have an enormous

impact

it means an iPhone that allows a blind

person to run a marathon

it means that Apple watch that catches a

heart condition before it becomes a

heart attack

it means an iPad

that helps a child with autism connect

with his little world

in short

it means technology infused with your

values

making progress possible for everyone

whatever you do in your life

and whatever we do at Apple we must

Infuse it with the humanity that each of

us is born with

responsibility is immense

but so

is the opportunity

I'm optimistic because I believe in your

generation your passion your journey to

serve Humanity

we are all counting on you

there is so much out there conspiring to

make you cynical

the internet has enabled so much and

empowered so many

but it can also be a place

where basic rules of decency are

suspended and pettiness and negativity

thrive

don't let that noise knock you off

course

don't get caught up in the trivial

aspects of life

don't listen to trolls and for God's

sake don't become one

measure your impact on Humanity

not in likes

but in the lives you touch

not in popularity but in the people you

serve

I found that my life got bigger when I

stopped caring what other people thought

about me

you will find yours will too

stay focused on what really matters

there will be times when you resolve to

serve Humanity will be tested

be prepared

people will try to convince you that you

should keep your empathy out of your

career

don't accept this false premise

at a shareholders meeting a few years

ago

someone questioned

Apple's investment in focus on the

environment

he asked me to pledge that Apple would

only invest in green initiatives that

could be justified with a return on

investment

I tried to be diplomatic

I pointed out that Apple does many

things like accessibility features for

those with disabilities that don't rely

on an Roi

we do these things because they're the

right thing to do

in protecting the environment is a

critical example

he wouldn't let it go

and I got my blood up

so I told him if you can't accept our

position you shouldn't own Apple stock

when you're convinced

that your cause is rhymed have the

courage to take a stand

if you see a problem or an injustice

recognize that no one will fix it but

you

as you go forward today

use your minds and hands and your hearts

to build something bigger than

yourselves

always remember

there is no idea bigger than this as Dr

Martin Luther King said all life is

interrelated we are all bound together

into a single Garment of Destiny

if you keep that idea at the Forefront

of all that you do

if you choose to live your lives at that

intersection between technology and the

people it serves if you strive to create

the best give the best do the best for

everyone not just for some

than today

all of humanity has good cause for hope

thank you very much and congratulations

class of 2017.

[Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

thank you

[Music]