Tim Cook and John Ternus hold virtual meeting with Minister-President of Bavaria

Earlier today, Apple CEO Tim Cook and his successor, John Ternus held a virtual meeting with Minister-President of Bavaria, Markus Söder. Here are the details.

Job creation and EU overregulation among topics likely discussed

In a post shared on X, Söder is pictured in front of a large screen showing a glasses-wearing John Ternus during a session also attended by Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Matt Browne, the company’s head of European Government Affairs and Global Insights.

In the post, Söder said he had “good conversations” with Cook and Ternus about Apple’s presence and continued investment in Bavaria.

Interestingly, Söder’s post also raised concerns about overregulation in AI and data protection, echoing Apple’s criticism of the EU rules it says are delaying the launch of the new Siri AI in the bloc.

From Söder’s post:

“Overregulation, for example in AI and data protection, must not lead to us being cut off from technological progress. We want to shape the future, not just watch it happen.”

While Söder stopped short of confirming that the issue was discussed during the meeting, the timing is notable. Just a few days ago, Cook reportedly held a virtual meeting with EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen as Apple and the bloc sought a way forward in their dispute over the delayed launch of Siri AI in Europe.

Back to Söder’s post, he said that “Apple and Bayern are two globally strong brands,” and added that “Apple now has over 2000 jobs” in Munich.

You can read his full post below:

Silicon Valley meets Bavaria: Apple and Bayern are two globally strong brands. Had good conversations today with @apple CEO @tim_cook and his successor John Ternus. Bayern is considered Europe’s Silicon Valley. We are proud that global players like #Apple, as well as young start-ups, invest and grow with us. In Munich, Apple now has over 2000 jobs. Our #HightechAgenda is paying off in full: We are home to cutting-edge technology. “The Bavarian way of life” combines high-tech and homeland. That resonates well internationally too. Bayern says yes to technology and the future – because that secures jobs and value creation at home. The EU must keep this in mind as well: Overregulation, for example in AI and data protection, must not lead to us being cut off from technological progress. We want to shape the future, not just watch it happen._

What do you make of Söder’s comments on EU overregulation? Let us know in the comments.

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