In an exclusive interview Apple CEO tells CNN- “I don't subscribe to the machines taking over the world”

Dubai, UAE, June 5, 2018:  Apple CEO Tim Cooke sat down with CNNMoney’s Laurie Segall for an exclusive interview in which he reveals he uses his phone too much, that Silicon Valley’s abuse of privacy is out of control, and weighs in on how trade tariffs could affect the iPhone.

 

 

On addiction and AI: 

““I encourage everyone to look and everyone to make an informed decision and ask themselves if they’re picking up their phone 10x an hour or 20x an hour, maybe they could do it less. Maybe they would be more present in the moment with less… But I think the power is now shifted to the user and that has been what Apple has always been about… giving the power from the institution to the user, and I am very hopeful that great things are going to happen… I don’t subscribe to the machines taking over the world. I don’t worry about that. I think more about people thinking like machines”

 

On data and his take on Steve Jobs: 

“On privacy, Steve had a clear view – that people should know who is getting their data and what it should entail. I think he put enormous emphasis on that. This is not something new that just happened when I became CEO. We’ve always had it. In terms of broader issue of humanity, that is his philosophy. That is the DNA of this company is that Apple should always be trying to change the world, and change means make it better. That's the thing that we get up in the morning and focus on doing. I don't see that changing. That's the north star that keeps us going”

On privacy being a fundamental human right: 

 

“We feel this very deeply, that privacy is a fundamental human right. So that’s the angle that we look at it… And I do think that we have to look at what has occurred and begin to make some substantive changes throughout the industry to protect people’s privacy… I think it has been under attack and we've been saying that for quite some time. And I think that partly there are no rails. Partly that things happened and people didn't anticipate the end result of some of the things that happened. So, I don’t think it’s healthy at this point to point a finger. I'm more focused on how we can make the web an unbelievable place for ourselves but more importantly the kids that are on it… We write our policies in plain language around the world, so people would know exactly what we’re doing, and we are not in the business of monetizing your data… People are not aware fully of how their data is being used, who has it, and I think this has to be addressed”

 

On potential tariffs: 

““I don't think iPhone will get a tariff on it, is my belief, based on what I’ve been told and I see. I just don’t see that… no one will win from that. It would be a lose-lose. When the facts are so clear like that both parties will see that and be able to work things out”

 

On running for President: 

““I'm not political. I'm not sure I would do well in that environment.  I think that I can make the greatest contribution doing what I'm doing. So that’s how I feel about that. I don't see it. I love getting things done and I don't love the political machine in the background… regardless of which party is where”