Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI company of stealing trade secrets to develop hardware for its ChatGPT technology, leading to a significant rift in their partnership. The legal action, lodged in a California federal court, alleges that OpenAI engaged in a systematic pattern of misconduct at an institutional level by misappropriating Apple’s confidential information.
According to Apple, the theft of trade secrets was orchestrated by former Apple employees who now hold key positions at OpenAI. Tang Tan, a former Apple designer involved in creating iconic products like the iPhone and Apple Watch, currently serves as OpenAI’s chief hardware officer. Another ex-Apple employee, Chang Liu, who previously worked on sensitive product development projects at Apple, joined OpenAI earlier this year.
In response to the lawsuit, OpenAI stated that it is reviewing the allegations and emphasized its commitment to developing innovative technologies without resorting to corporate espionage. The lawsuit claims that OpenAI’s hardware project, which remains undisclosed, is allegedly founded on stolen knowledge from Apple, thereby casting doubt on the integrity of the initiative.
Apple’s legal action asserts a pattern of theft by former employees who transitioned to OpenAI, including Liu and Tan, who purportedly accessed and downloaded confidential hardware-related files from Apple. The lawsuit details instances where Liu retained Apple-issued devices post-departure and where Tan allegedly directed job applicants to bring Apple components to OpenAI interviews.
The lawsuit further indicates that Apple communicated its concerns to OpenAI early in its investigation but received no response from the AI company. In a statement, an Apple spokesperson reiterated the company’s commitment to safeguarding its intellectual property and innovations through appropriate legal measures.
The relationship between Apple and OpenAI, initially formed to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities on iPhones, has evolved from collaboration to rivalry. OpenAI’s recruitment of Jony Ive, a former Apple designer, to lead an AI-powered device project has heightened tensions between the two tech giants. Last year, OpenAI announced a hardware collaboration with Ive, which involved acquiring io Products, a company co-founded by Ive, Tan, and others, in a multi-billion dollar deal.
As the legal battle unfolds, Apple’s lawsuit also implicates io Products and underscores the escalating competition OpenAI faces from other industry players, such as Anthropic and Google. Amidst these developments, OpenAI continues to focus on advancing its ChatGPT technology while pursuing the development of consumer hardware, slated for release later this year according to the company’s CFO, Sarah Friar.
