SRINAGAR: In a major escalation of tensions in the artificial intelligence industry, Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing the ChatGPT maker of stealing trade secrets and confidential information to accelerate the development of its consumer hardware products.According to Apple’s legal filing, OpenAI allegedly used the iPhone maker’s proprietary technology and confidential information while building its hardware ambitions.“This much is clear: at every level, from members of its Technical Staff to its Chief Hardware Officer, and in coordination with business partners, OpenAI has been stealing Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information,” Apple alleged in the lawsuit.The lawsuit marks a dramatic turn in the relationship between the two companies. Just a few years ago, Apple partnered with OpenAI, integrating ChatGPT into Apple’s operating systems, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared alongside Apple executives during major AI announcements.However, relations reportedly deteriorated after OpenAI announced its entry into the AI hardware market and acquired former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s startup, io Products, in a deal reportedly worth $6.4 billion.Apple Accuses Former Employees of Sharing Confidential InformationApple’s complaint alleges that several former employees who interviewed with or joined OpenAI improperly disclosed confidential company information.Among those named in the lawsuit is Tang Tan, OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer and a former Apple executive. Apple claims Tan encouraged Apple employees interviewing with OpenAI to bring confidential materials and even physical Apple components to job interviews.According to the filing, Tan allegedly instructed candidates to bring “actual parts” from Apple for “show and tell” sessions to extract sensitive information about unreleased products and technologies.Apple also alleges that OpenAI coached departing Apple employees on how to avoid internal security measures when leaving the company. The lawsuit further claims that a former Apple engineer, Chang Liu, took an Apple laptop before joining OpenAI.OpenAI Denies AllegationsResponding to the lawsuit, an OpenAI spokesperson rejected the accusations, saying the company has no interest in competitors’ trade secrets.“We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere,” the spokesperson said.Apple, meanwhile, said new evidence had emerged indicating that OpenAI employees had wrongfully obtained confidential information related to Apple’s unreleased technologies, products, and development processes.The case is expected to become one of the most closely watched legal battles in the technology sector, with potential implications for the future of AI hardware, intellectual property protection, and competition between Apple and OpenAI.
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