Google Unveils GenChess, an AI-Powered Chess Game with Customizable Pieces
Google Labs introduces GenChess, a web-based chess game that leverages AI image generation to let players customize their pieces with text prompts.
Max Carter
As the tech industry continues to navigate the complex landscape of politics and policy, a recent Wall Street Journal report has shed light on Apple CEO Tim Cook's successful playbook in building a relationship with former President Donald Trump. Cook's approach, which involved direct appeals, simple messaging, and a focus on mutual interests, has been credited with influencing Trump's tax policy and tariff decisions in ways that benefited Apple. Now, other tech CEOs are taking note and seeking to replicate his strategy.
Cook's approach was marked by its simplicity and directness. Rather than relying on government relations executives or lobbyists, Cook would appeal to Trump directly through phone calls and meals. This personal touch helped to build a rapport with the former President, who was known for his emphasis on personal relationships. Cook also developed a meeting strategy with Trump, where he would bring a single data point to focus on a specific issue, keeping the meetings from getting bogged down in complexity.
The Wall Street Journal report highlights the effectiveness of Cook's strategy, noting that he was able to influence Trump's 2017 tax policy and 2019 tariff decisions in ways that benefited Apple. In return, Trump was able to claim credit for Apple's investments, including the opening of a manufacturing plant in Austin, Texas, which had actually been in operation for years and was not owned by Apple. Cook's willingness to let Trump take credit for the plant's opening was seen as a key aspect of their relationship.
Other tech leaders are now seeking to follow in Cook's footsteps. The CEOs of Boeing and FedEx have reportedly tried to build relationships with Trump through direct communication, while others have considered using the Department of Government Efficiency, which Trump rewarded Elon Musk with leading after his aggressive backing of Trump's campaign. Some tech leaders, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have taken a more flattering approach, with Trump claiming that Pichai had reached out to him to discuss his trending Google searches and that Zuckerberg had called him "a lot" to pledge his support and praise his reaction to an attempt on his life.
The implications of this trend are significant, as tech leaders seek to navigate the complex landscape of politics and policy. By building personal relationships with politicians and policymakers, tech CEOs may be able to influence policy decisions in ways that benefit their companies and the broader industry. However, this approach also raises questions about the role of tech leaders in shaping policy and the potential risks of cozying up to politicians.
As the tech industry continues to evolve and grow, the relationship between tech leaders and politicians will remain a crucial aspect of the landscape. Whether other CEOs can replicate Cook's success remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the playbook has been written, and others are eager to follow.
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