Apple shareholders firmly rejected a proposal to abolish the company's Inclusion & Diversity program, a decision made during the annual shareholder meeting. The National Center for Public Policy Research submitted the proposal, arguing that diversity initiatives could lead to discrimination and pose compliance risks that might impact Apple's financial stability. However, Apple opposed the proposal, maintaining that they are compliant with employment laws and stating that such a proposal would inappropriately micromanage their internal programs.
The National Center for Public Policy Research voiced concerns about the potential financial implications of continuing diversity programs. Stephen Padfield emphasized, "The risks to Apple stemming from continuing to push these divisive and value-destroying agendas is only increasing in light of President Trump's recent executive order focusing the Department of Justice on rooting out illegal discrimination being carried out in the name of DEI." He further stated, "The vibe shift is clear. DEI is out, and merit is in."
Apple, however, stands by its commitment to inclusion and diversity. According to the company's website, nearly two-thirds of its workforce is male, with women making up 35%. Racially, 42% of employees are white, and 30% are Asian. The company has implemented various inclusion programs, including internal support groups and features for people with disabilities, alongside research efforts to prevent racial bias in its products and services.
Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, reiterated the importance of diversity within the company. "Our strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate and create something magical for our users," he said. Cook also highlighted Apple's commitment to the United States, stating, "The U.S. is our home, and we're deeply committed to the country's future."
Despite opposition to the diversity proposal, shareholders rejected other outside proposals as well. These included creating reports on ethical AI data usage, evaluating methods to combat child exploitation, and detailing charitable giving. Shareholders did approve Apple's board of directors, auditor, and executive compensation in an advisory vote.
Cook cautioned that evolving legal frameworks around diversity issues might require Apple to adapt its practices. During his tenure, Apple's market capitalization surged by over $3 trillion. In 2024, Cook's compensation package amounted to $74.61 million, an increase from $64.21 million in 2023.
Furthermore, shareholders expressed concerns about Apple's partnership with OpenAI potentially contradicting its privacy focus. They urged the company to prepare a report on the risks associated with using private or unlicensed data for training artificial intelligence.
In addition to these discussions, Apple announced plans to continue increasing its dividend annually. The company will update investors in May regarding this year's dividend increase.