Apple's CEO Tim Cook just made a huge promise to The Netherlands - Silicon Canals (original) (raw)

Tim Cook is Apple’s CEO. We all know that. He kicked off StartupFest Europe in The Netherlands with a bit of boring fireside chat with special startup envoy Neelie Kroes on technology, entrepreneurship and Apple’s future. But in the end, he had a little surprise for the excited Amsterdam crowd at the packed Beurs van Berlage.

Rude Dutch question

Neelie Kroes forwarned him, a rude Dutch straight forward question would come. The special envoy asked for a commitment towards young kids being able to learn how to code. Cook mentioned this is what we need to guarantee the future of technology.

Free up Apple Developers

“Can we ask you to free up some of the most talented Apple developer to help childeren in The Netherlands learn how to code?”, Kroes asked.

No if’s and but’s, Cook’s answer was without hesitation: “Yes.”

*applause*

It’s an interesting commitment, which will raise a lot of questions. Will actual Apple engineers come over to keep Cook’s promise?

Picture: Happitech founder Yosef Safi Harb met with Apple CEO Tim Cook before the talk.