Apple’s Tim Cook sees Australia’s social media curbs as ‘world-leading’, PM says

Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook views the Australian government's pioneering curbs on ​social media as "world-leading", Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday after ‌meeting with Cook at the company's US headquarters.

"Tim Cook gave us a lot of time this morning. He regards the work that we’ve done on social media to ​be world-leading," Albanese said in remarks from Apple Park, California, televised ​in Australia on Sunday.

Australia this month took the next step in its push to improve online safety with a plan to give social media users the option to choose the content they see in their feeds.

In December, Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16. Other governments have followed this year, with the European Commission the latest to propose such a ​ban for children under 13.

Asked for comment on Albanese's remarks, an Apple ​spokesperson referred to a post by Cook on X, saying he was grateful to share ‌with ⁠Albanese "some of our newest innovations, including strong and intuitive controls to help keep kids safe online". Cook recently stepped down as Apple CEO after 15 years in the role.

Albanese's visit to the US comes as industry leaders there are split over how fast companies should develop ⁠increasingly powerful technology, and as an AI safety debate roils Silicon Valley.

Albanese said AI entails risks that must be ​mitigated.

"There is a need for a discussion about what ​the global ⁠framework is for the rollout of AI, because it is moving very quickly, and we need to make sure that humans remain in control," he ⁠told ​reporters, according to an official transcript.

The Australian leader's comments contrast with President Donald Trump's position, who has downplayed concerns about AI and argued that additional regulation is unnecessary.

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