As Apple approaches its 50th anniversary, CEO Tim Cook is reflecting on the company's legacy while also looking ahead.
Cook spoke about creativity, artificial intelligence, privacy and Apple's expanding music education efforts during a visit to Wadleigh Secondary School in Harlem, New York, where students are learning more than just music.
Inside one classroom, students experiment with sound and production tools using Apple devices donated through the company’s partnership with Save The Music. The initiative aims to expand access to music education while blending creativity with technology.
During his visit, Cook sat down with "Good Morning America" co-anchor Michael Strahan and shared what it was like seeing the program firsthand.
"Oh, it brings me such joy because we make products that empower other people to express themselves, to create things they couldn't create before," Cook said in an interview that aired Tuesday on "GMA."
Cook also announced an expansion of Apple's partnership with Save The Music, nearly doubling the number of schools reached.
"We're expanding the number of schools that we're reaching from 25 to almost double that. And so we're gonna be able to hit 25,000 kids next year -- with music education," he said.
The visit comes as Apple marks a major milestone, the company's 50th anniversary.
"What a reflection," Cook said of Apple's longevity.
When asked about Apple's biggest contributions over the past five decades, Cook pointed to innovation across industries.
"You know, you can focus on the product moments, reinventing music, reinventing the smartphone, bringing the creative arts to the table, the creative graphics. Saving people's lives with the watch," he said.
Cook also acknowledged concerns about how people use technology.
"I don't want people using them too much," he said. "I don't want people looking at the smartphone more than they're looking in someone's eyes, because if they're just scrolling endlessly, this is not the way you wanna spend your day. Go out and spend it in nature."
On artificial intelligence, AI, Cook said the technology has the potential to be transformative, depending on how it is used.
"I think AI is so profound and can be so positive, but, you know, technology doesn't wanna be good, and it doesn't wanna be bad. It's in the hands of the user and the hands of the inventor," he said.
Cook also reiterated Apple's stance on privacy as a fundamental right, emphasizing how the company handles user data.
"We do as much as possible on the device," he explained. "And the device is encrypted, which means that even Apple doesn't have access to it. And then when we can't answer a question on your device, we send it to something called Private Cloud Compute, which is essentially, think of it as a big device in the sky that has the same kind of security and architecture as your phone."
Addressing manufacturing and tariffs, Cook pointed to Apple's growing investment in the United States.
"We're putting $600 billion into the U.S. over the next four years," he shared. "And in fact, if you looked at your iPhone today, the front cover and the back cover, all of that glass will be coming out of Kentucky by the end of this year."
"The engine, the system on a chip, we're gonna make over 100 million of those in Arizona this year," he continued. "We're going to make over 20 billion semiconductors in the U.S. And again, this is not only for the U.S. market-sold iPhones, it's for worldwide iPhones."
Cook told "GMA" that Apple is monitoring ongoing legal developments related to tariffs and will decide its next steps based on how the courts rule.
On criticism surrounding his interactions with President Donald Trump, Cook said his focus remains on policy rather than politics.
Cook was one of several tech leaders who attended Trump's inauguration in January 2025. One year later, this January, Cook attended a private screening at the White House of first lady Melania Trump's documentary, "Melania."
"What I do is I interact on policy, not politics. I'm not a political person on either side. I'm not political," Cook said. "And so I'm kind of straight down the middle. And I focus on policy, so I'm very pleased that the president and the administration is accessible to talk about policy."
As for his future at Apple, Cook dismissed speculation about stepping down, noting, "I love what I do deeply."
"Twenty-eight years ago, I walked into Apple and I've loved every day of it since," he said. "We've had ups and downs, but the people I work with are so amazing. They bring out the best in me. And hopefully, I can bring out the best in them. And Michael, I can't imagine life without Apple."
