Apple CEO Tim Cook remembers Steve Jobs in heartfelt commencement speech

Apple CEO Tim Cook turned to a familiar source when it came to offering advice to the class of 2018.

Speaking at the commencement ceremony at Duke University, Cook encouraged the students in attendance to learn from the example set by Apple founder Steve Jobs.

"No big challenge has ever been solved, and no lasting improvement has ever been achieved unless people dare to try something different, dare to think different," Cook said echoing the words of Apple's famous marketing campaign.

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"I was lucky to learn from someone who believed this deeply, someone who knew that changing the world started with following a vision, not a path.

"Steve's vision was that great ideas come from a restless refusal to accept things as they are."

Apple's top executive also used the speech as an opportunity to, once again, subtly diss all the tech companies that don't respect users' privacy (ahem, Facebook).

"We reject the excuse that getting the most out of technology means trading away your right to privacy," he said. "So we choose a different path, collecting as little of your data as possible, being thoughtful and respectful when it's our care because we know it belongs to you."

Privacy wasn't the only issue of the day Cook referenced in the wide-ranging speech. He also spoke about climate change (which, yes, included another plug for Apple), gun violence, the #metoo movement, and the "deep inequality" that faces many Americans.

He concluded with a call for students to "find your fearlessness."

"If you hope to change the world, you must find your fearlessness," he said. "Fearlessness means taking the first step even if you're not sure where it will take you."

You can watch the full speech in the video, below.