Apple is set to hold its 2025 annual shareholder meeting this Tuesday, where crucial discussions regarding the company's future direction will take place. Since the election of President Trump, Apple has resisted corporate activism while steadfastly upholding its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. However, these policies, and its partnership with OpenAI, are expected to be a focal point for conservative groups.
At the meeting, Apple shareholders will vote on a proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) urging the company to rescind its DEI policies, citing potential legal risks in light of recent Supreme Court rulings. Another proposal demands Apple release a report detailing how its AI strategy ensures ethical compliance, warning that its collaboration with OpenAI may pose data privacy and security concerns.
Apple opposes both proposals and anticipates their defeat, largely due to the stance of major shareholders BlackRock and Vanguard, who generally distance themselves from politically charged shareholder activism. However, even if unsuccessful, such proposals could have ripple effects. For instance, Costco shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a similar DEI proposal in January, prompting 19 Republican state attorneys general to urge the company to end its related policies.
Apple's position has drawn significant attention. As a tech giant, Apple faces pressure from various sides while striving to promote diversity. This shareholder meeting is not only an opportunity for Apple to showcase its social responsibility but also a response to external criticism. How Apple balances its policies with shareholder interests and its public image will be a key issue to watch in the future.
