Apple will hold its 2025 annual shareholders' meeting on Tuesday local time in the United States, and will have important discussions on the company's future development direction. Since Trump's election as president, Apple has firmly upheld its diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies while resisting corporate activism. However, these policies and their partnership with OpenAI will be the focus of conservative organizations.
At the conference, Apple's shareholders will vote to support a proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR). The proposal calls on Apple to cancel its DEI policy, believing that the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling could put companies at legal risks. In addition, another proposal requires Apple to release a report explaining how its AI strategy ensures ethical standards are met. The proposal warns that Apple's cooperation with OpenAI may have data privacy and security risks.
Apple objected to both proposals and expected them to be passed. The main reason is that Apple's major shareholders, BlackRock Group and Pioneer Group, both keep a distance from political shareholder activism. However, even if such a proposal fails to be passed, it may trigger a chain reaction in the future. For example, as early as January this year, shareholders of Costco rejected similar DEI proposals with overwhelming votes, and since then, 19 Republican state attorneys generals sent letters to the company urging it to end relevant policies.
Apple's position has attracted widespread attention. As a giant in the technology industry, Apple is also facing pressure from all parties while promoting diversification. This shareholders' meeting is not only an opportunity for Apple to show its social responsibility, but also its response to external criticism. In the future, how Apple can safeguard shareholders' interests and social image while adhering to its own policies will become an issue worthy of attention.