Apple Launches Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, Emphasizing AI and Smart Manufacturing

Apple to Open Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, but Don't Expect a US iPhone in the Near Future

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog. Apple announced today that it is opening a manufacturing academy in Detroit next month, offering free training for small businesses and innovators. The Apple Manufacturing Academy, in partnership with Michigan State University, is designed to help American companies implement artificial intelligence and new techniques in manufacturing, the company said in a statement. "Apple works with suppliers in all 50 states because we know advanced manufacturing is vital to American innovation and leadership," said Sabih Khan, Apple's chief operating officer. "With this new programming, we're thrilled to help even more businesses implement smart manufacturing." Opening Aug. 19, the Apple Manufacturing Academy is part of the tech giant's pledge to spend more than $500 billion in the US, which it announced in February, about six weeks before President Donald Trump launched his Liberation Day tariff drama. Trump threatened Apple and other manufacturers with a 25% tariff on all smartphones produced outside the US after Apple said it was moving US iPhone production from India to China. While the manufacturing academy could potentially help American companies with new techniques, it's unlikely to make a difference in Apple's manufacturing plans, at least in the short term. Most experts say moving iPhone production to the US is unrealistic because of higher labor and production costs. Estimates have suggested that a US-made iPhone would cost as much as $3,500.

Apple opens manufacturing academy in Detroit as Trump ramps up pressure to invest in U.S.

US President Donald Trump (R) and Apple CEO Tim Cook (2nd L), with Senior Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump (L) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, tour the Flextronics computer manufacturing facility where Apple's Mac Pros are assembled in Austin, Texas, on November 20, 2019. Faced with intensifying pressure from President Donald Trump to bring more jobs to the U.S., Apple is opening a manufacturing program in downtown Detroit. The Apple Manufacturing Academy, which is being administered by Michigan State University, will offer workshops on manufacturing and artificial intelligence to small and medium-sized businesses when it opens in August, Apple said on Tuesday. The company said that it would "train the next generation of U.S. manufacturers" and that Apple engineers would participate in the workshops. Apple is one of the most admired hardware companies in the world, manufacturing tens of millions of complicated devices each year across a global supply chain. "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," Sabih Khan, Apple's newly named chief operating officer, said in the statement. The announcement is part of a public effort by Apple to highlight its U.S. operations and investments to appease Trump, who has called on the company to move iPhone production to the U.S. while he implements tariffs that will likely raise Apple's costs. Apple first promised to open the Apple Manufacturing Academy in February, when it announced plans to spend more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, investing in products, programs and companies. Apple also said it would assemble AI servers in Houston and buy chips from a TSMC factory based in Arizona. While Trump hailed Apple's plans in February, his administration has continued to try and strong-arm the company into assembling iPhones in the U.S., which experts say would be cost prohibitive and take a very long time. In May, Trump said he had a "little problem" with CEO Tim Cook, who had said that Apple expanded production to India to avoid Chinese tariffs. "I said to him, 'my friend, I treated you very good. You're coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you're building all over India.' I don't want you building in India," Trump said. Apple runs a similar program focusing on software development, instead of manufacturing. Apple has 18 developer academies around the world, according to its website, notably in countries where the iPhone maker wants to forge a working relationship with governments, such as Brazil, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea. The only developer academy in the U.S. is also based in Detroit, in partnership with Michigan State, which said this spring that it has about 200 students annually. Apple said that it would provide consulting services to small businesses through the program, and that the manufacturing academy would also offer some courses virtually later this year.

Apple Is Opening a Manufacturing Academy in Detroit

The move comes as President Donald Trump has repeatedly asked the tech company to build iPhones in the U.S. 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 effortsâ€"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.

Apple Manufacturing Academy opening to support US businesses

A new Apple Manufacturing Academy has been announced by the company, launching in Detroit on August 19. The iPhone maker says it will offer free training in "smart manufacturing" for small and medium businesses from across the country. The initiative is working in partnership with Michigan State University, and will include Apple engineers among the trainers ... The company made the announcement this morning: Apple will open its all-new Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit on Tuesday, August 19, with free programming to train and support American businesses, innovators, and manufacturers. The academy is part of Apple's pledge to spend more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, and builds on the company's long history of investment in American innovation and advanced manufacturing. "We're thrilled to welcome companies from across the country to the Apple Manufacturing Academy starting next month," said Sabih Khan, Apple's chief operating officer. "Apple works with suppliers in all 50 states because we know advanced manufacturing is vital to American innovation and leadership. 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." While the program is hosted in Detroit, it will be open to US businesses across the country. The US manufacturing sector has been in decline for a great many years, as American companies have struggled to compete with cheaper and more efficient production in countries like China. Apple believes that "smart manufacturing" - incorporating AI into the production process - can be part of the solution. Sessions will focus on machine learning and deep learning in manufacturing; automation in the product manufacturing industry; leveraging manufacturing data to improve product quality; applying digital technologies to enhance operations; and more. Companies won't necessarily need to travel to Detroit to benefit from Apple's expertise: the company says it is already offering consulting services to US companies, and these include virtual appointments which can take place anywhere. Apple is also helping companies develop other manufacturing skills, with project management and manufacturing process optimization training to follow later in the year. The move is likely in part motivated by trying to appease the Trump administration, which has criticized it for not making iPhones in the US - something experts have said is impossible because the skills don't exist at the required scale.

Apple Hosting Two-Day Manufacturing Academy in Detroit Next Month

Apple is teaming up with Michigan State University to host an Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, Michigan, on August 19-20. Apple engineers and Michigan State University experts will consult with small- and medium-sized businesses on how they can implement AI and other technologies to enhance manufacturing, according to Apple's announcement today. The sessions will focus on machine learning, automation, and more. "Apple works with suppliers in all 50 states because we know advanced manufacturing is vital to American innovation and leadership," said Apple's COO Sabih Khan. "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." Apple says this two-day initiative is part of the company's pledge to spend more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Businesses can sign up for the courses on Michigan State University's website.

Apple Manufacturing Academy opens in Detroit amid Trump pressure on US production

Apple is trying to bring machine learning to Motor City. The smartphone giant opened its Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit on Tuesday to offer free workshops on artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing to small and medium-sized businesses. Apple stands out as one of the companies most dependent on manufacturing as well as consumers in China. The new academy is a part of Apple's broader $500-billion U.S. investment commitment announced in February. The academy, which will be administered through a partnership with Michigan State University, will provide training on machine learning, automation and digital manufacturing technologies, with Apple experts helping to lead the workshops. "We're thrilled to help even more businesses implement smart manufacturing so they can unlock amazing opportunities for their companies and our country," Sabih Khan, Apple's chief operating officer, said in a news release. The company will also provide consulting services to businesses, available virtually and in person. Apple plans to add online courses this year that will teach skills such as project management and how to optimize manufacturing processes. The announcement comes as Apple faces pressure from President Trump and his supporters to bring more manufacturing jobs to the United States. Trump has called for Apple to move iPhone production stateside and is implementing tariffs that will probably raise the company's costs. On Tuesday, July 29, Trump threatened to impose tariffs as high as 25% on Indian imports if the countries cannot complete a trade agreement by Aug. 1. The U.S. also has a 30% baseline tariff on Chinese imports that expires August 12th, with Trump saying duties could rise again without a new deal. In May, Trump expressed frustration with Tim Cook after the Apple chief executive stated that the company was expanding Indian production to avoid tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump said he reminded Cook of Apple's $500-billion U.S. investment promise and told him: "I don't want you building in India." Apple aims to produce about a quarter of the world's iPhones in India over the next several years as the company works to reduce its heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturing. After building its supply chain in China for decades, Apple has been expanding to other markets including Vietnam and India. Cook has managed his relationship with Trump since the president's first term, building rapport through direct phone calls and meetings. His approach proved effective in 2019 when he lobbied Trump personally to exempt iPhones from China tariffs, arguing that the duties would raise prices and benefit competitors such as Samsung. The Trump administration later excluded iPhones and other electronics from the tariff plan. The Detroit facility builds on Apple's presence in the city, where it already operates an Apple Developer Academy in partnership with Michigan State University that trains about 200 students annually in software development. Apple currently produces very few products in the U.S. The Cupertino, California, company makes the Mac Pro in Austin, Texas, and has announced plans to build AI servers in Houston as well as purchase chips from a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. factory in Arizona. Experts note that moving iPhone production to the U.S. would be prohibitively expensive. 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Apple opens manufacturing academy amid Trump pressure

Apple announced Tuesday it will open its new Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit in August. The new academy will offer free programming to train and support businesses, innovators, and manufacturers in the U.S., a release said. It will open on August 19. The company said this new academy is part of its larger investment in the United States. Back in February, Apple announced its commitment to spend more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. The latest announcement comes as the Trump administration applies more pressure on the tech giant to move its operations from abroad to the U.S. After President Donald Trump rolled back some of the sky-high tariffs he initially placed on Chinese exports for 90 days, the president said he spoke with Apple CEO Tim Cook about the company's investment in the U.S. President Trump said Cook apparently told him that he would raise the $500 billion investment he already committed to use in the U.S. for domestic manufacturing and artificial intelligence. The iPhone maker has been moving its production from China to India, with hopes to move production for all U.S.-sold iPhones to India by the end of 2026, The Financial Times reported. However, the president has said he doesn't want iPhones "built in India." This new Detroit-based academy -- which is in partnership with Michigan State University -- intends to train small and medium-sized U.S. companies on AI and "smart manufacturing techniques" with a focus on machine learning, automation, digital technologies, and more. "Apple works with suppliers in all 50 states because we know advanced manufacturing is vital to American innovation and leadership," said Apple's COO Sabih Khan in the 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."

Tim Cook Moves To Appease Trump? Apple Launches Manufacturing Academy In Detroit, Set To Commence In August - Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

In response to mounting pressure from the Trump administration to create more jobs in the U.S., Apple Inc. AAPL is launching a manufacturing academy in Detroit. What Happened: The Apple Manufacturing Academy, to be run by Michigan State University, will offer workshops on manufacturing and artificial intelligence to small and medium-sized businesses. The program is set to commence in August. Check out the current price of AAPL stock here. Apple's Chief Operating Officer, Sabih Khan, stated that the initiative aims to "train the next generation of U.S. manufacturers." The company had previously pledged to open the academy as part of a larger commitment to invest over $500 billion in the U.S. over the next five years. "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," stated Khan Apple's Detroit-based developer academy, in collaboration with Michigan State, is the only one of its kind in the U.S. The company also operates 18 developer academies worldwide, including in countries where it seeks to foster strong relationships with governments. Despite initiatives like assembling AI servers in Houston and sourcing chips from a TSMC TSMC plant in Arizona, the Trump administration is still pushing Apple to produce iPhones in the U.S. -- a move experts say would be costly and time-consuming. SEE ALSO: Senator Urges Elon Musk To Halt Starlink Access For Southeast Asian Financial Scammers: 'SpaceX Has A Responsibility...' - Benzinga Trending Investment OpportunitiesAdvertisementArrivedBuy shares of homes and vacation rentals for as little as $100. Get StartedWiserAdvisorGet matched with a trusted, local financial advisor for free.Get StartedPoint.comTap into your home's equity to consolidate debt or fund a renovation.Get StartedRobinhoodMove your 401k to Robinhood and get a 3% match on deposits.Get Started Why It Matters: Earlier this month, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro expressed his dissatisfaction with Apple CEO Tim Cook for not relocating the company's manufacturing facilities out of China, referring to this as the "longest-running soap opera in Silicon Valley." Analysts have also suggested that Apple might benefit from a new CEO to prioritize product innovation, particularly in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence, amid concerns over AI failures and an innovation slump. Despite these challenges, Apple is gearing up for a significant rebound in the second half of fiscal 2025, driven by the highly anticipated launch of new product cycles, including a 'slim' iPhone, and sustained momentum in its lucrative Services division. However, Apple's strategic manufacturing plans have faced hurdles. As the company ramps up iPhone production in India, experts previously warned that the recent U.S.-China trade reset could derail Delhi's factory ambitions and threaten Apple's long-term value-added growth plans. Benzinga's Edge Rankings place Apple in the 80th percentile for quality and the 33rd percentile for growth, reflecting strong performance in both areas. Check the detailed report here. READ MORE: Apple Faces 18-Month Deadline To Deliver On AI, Says Analyst Image via Shutterstock Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. AAPLApple Inc$211.910.30%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum30.66Growth32.82Quality77.60Value9.38Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs