Apple just announced plans to open a manufacturing academy in Detroit this August, as the company faces pressure from President Donald Trump to build iPhones in the U.S.
Starting August 19, Apple will partner with Michigan State University to host free workshops for small and mid-sized businesses, aimed at helping American companies adopt artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing techniques.
“Apple works with suppliers in all 50 states because we know advanced manufacturing is vital to American innovation and leadership,” said Apple COO Sabih Khan in a press release. “With this new programming, we’re thrilled to help even more businesses implement smart manufacturing so they can unlock amazing opportunities for their companies and our country.”
The workshops will cover topics like machine learning and deep learning in manufacturing, automation in production, using data to improve product quality, and applying digital technologies to enhance operations.
Along with the in-person courses, Apple engineers are already consulting U.S. companies to help boost productivity, efficiency, and quality across their supply chains. The consulting help is available both online and on-site.
Additionally, Apple plans to offer virtual classes later this year, teaching workers skills like project management and manufacturing process optimization.
The company already runs 18 similar academies around the world that are focused on training software developers.
Apple teased its first manufacturing academy back in February, when it announced plans to invest over $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Part of that money is going toward an advanced manufacturing facility in Houston, which will produce servers to support the company’s AI ambitions. The investment also includes Apple’s work with thousands of U.S. suppliers, its data centers, and Apple TV+ productions.
President Donald Trump has continued to press Apple to expand its manufacturing footprint in the U.S., using tariffs and public pressure to encourage companies to bring production back home.
Apple isn’t his only target. This year, companies like John Deere, Johnson & Johnson, and General Motors have also highlighted their new U.S. manufacturing efforts—moves the White House has been quick to take credit for.
Still, tensions remain between Trump and Apple, as the company has yet to fulfill his wish to move iPhone production to the U.S. One analyst estimates that U.S.-made iPhones could cost up $3,500.
In April, reports surfaced that Apple was shifting some iPhone manufacturing to India amid concerns about tariffs on goods from China.
A month later, Trump told reporters in Qatar that he made it clear to Tim Cook that he didn’t want Apple building its products in India.
“I said to Tim, I said, ‘Tim, we’ve treated you really good, we put up with all the plants that you built in China for years … we’re not interested in you building in India, India can take care of themselves,’” Trump said, according to Axios.
Read the full article here
