Apple may not be viewed as a model of virtue, but it has made a commendable choice in comparison to its peers in the tech industry. Shareholders at the company have opted to uphold its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite attempts by the conservative think tank National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) to abolish them. According to a report from Reuters, the NCPPR’s proposal, titled Request to Cease DEI Efforts, was decisively defeated with 8.84 billion votes against it compared to 210.45 million in support—amounting to roughly 2.3 percent.
These DEI initiatives were largely developed or enhanced in the aftermath of the global spotlight on the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Nonetheless, under former President Trump’s critiques and his claims that DEI programs might violate legal standards, coupled with corporate executives’ self-serving interests, companies like Meta and Google have either diminished or completely eliminated such programs. Proponents of the NCPPR’s initiative at Apple expressed concerns that maintaining the existing policies could lead to an increase in cases of discrimination.
During the shareholder meeting, CEO Tim Cook emphasized that the company’s strength lies in attracting top talent while fostering a collaborative environment where individuals from varied backgrounds can come together to drive innovation.
Despite this, it would be misleading to claim that Apple boasts exemplary DEI practices. The company’s shareholders previously voted against greater transparency regarding its racial and gender disparities, as well as rejecting a proposal to investigate the potential risks associated with its AI initiatives further.
Additionally, Cook appears to be seeking to maintain a favorable relationship with Trump. Reports indicate that the two met last week, and Apple is set to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Furthermore, Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration and attended it alongside prominent tech leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos.