Apple CEO Tim Cook Delivers Commencement Address at Gallaudet University

Apple CEO Tim Cook today delivered the commencement address at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., which is the only university in the world where Deaf and hard of hearing students live and learn bilingually in American Sign Language and English.

tim cook gallaudet university
During his speech, Cook told undergraduates that his one piece of advice is to lead with your values throughout life.

"What does it take to build a life that provides meaning and fulfillment?" said Cook. "No one can answer that question for you, and that includes me. There is no iPhone feature that can come to the rescue. AI is good, but it's not that good. Still, I have one important piece of advice I want to share — so important, that it's the only piece of advice I'm going to share today. And that is this: whatever you do, lead with your values."

Cook said that Apple's purpose has always been to create technology that enriches peoples' lives, adding that the company is only able to achieve that goal by having a relentless focus on its values, such as making technology accessible to all, ensuring that privacy is a fundamental human right, and environmental responsibility.

The commencement was streamed live on YouTube:


Cook's commencement address came after Apple TV+ film "CODA" won an Academy Award for Best Picture. The film revolves around a young woman named Ruby, the sole hearing member of a Deaf family. Using sign language, Ruby acts as an interpreter for her parents while working for her family's struggling fishing boat business.

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

Top Rated Comments

aidler Avatar
49 months ago
Thanks I’m good… I rather have a root canal treatment..
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
49 months ago
We are going through a tough time at Apple. Workers who I’m about to fire don’t want to use our gorgeous 5 billion dollar campus; designed by Jony Ive who I could not relate to. Now many Apple store employees are thinking about unionizing and it’s just not right! Graduates here today, please come work for Apple and replace them please!

Thank you class of 2022!
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
49 months ago

But will he say Gurrdd morn-neng!
I’m waiting for the, "I Am Thrilled" moment.



Attachment Image
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DerekS Avatar
49 months ago
Nothing can ever top the famous "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" speech from Jobs.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
49 months ago
I think I have better things to do…
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
49 months ago
To his credit, he could decline to do these commencement address speeches - yet he does them. I know that for me, giving a speech is the last thing I’d want to do. I’d quit my job if it required me to give speeches.
So good for him on doing them.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)