Apple accuses OpenAI of using stolen trade secrets to create its upcoming AI gadgets in new lawsuit
Apple Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft
Apple accuses OpenAI of using stolen - Apple has launched a new legal action accusing OpenAI of misusing stolen trade secrets to develop its own AI-powered devices. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern California District Court, alleges that OpenAI engaged in trade secret misappropriation and violated contractual agreements with the tech giant. According to the filing, OpenAI allegedly used confidential information from Apple to advance its next-generation AI gadgets, including details on proprietary technologies and hardware specifications.
Collaboration and Alleged Breach
The case centers on Apple’s former design leader, Chang Liu, who left the company in January 2026. Apple claims Liu failed to return a work-issued laptop and accessed a former colleague’s computer post-employment, downloading critical technical files related to unreleased products. OpenAI’s hardware head, Tang Tan, is also named in the suit, with Apple alleging that he used the stolen data during recruitment drives and even directed potential hires to bring Apple components to interviews. This suggests a deliberate effort to integrate the stolen information into OpenAI’s own AI hardware projects.
"We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets," said Drew Pusateri, a spokesperson for OpenAI. "We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere."
The lawsuit further includes io Products, the firm co-founded by Apple’s former design chief, Jony Ive. Although not a defendant, io Products is tied to OpenAI’s efforts as the AI company acquired it last year. Apple argues that the acquisition provided OpenAI with access to sensitive data, which may have been used to replicate Apple’s AI strategies. The company also claims that multiple former employees could have transferred proprietary information to OpenAI, though the specifics remain unclear.
AI Rivalry and Strategic Implications
The legal battle highlights the intense competition between tech giants in the AI space. Apple, which plans to release an updated version of Siri later this year, aims to integrate the AI assistant with apps and leverage user data for tailored experiences. Meanwhile, OpenAI seeks to position ChatGPT as the backbone of consumer technology, with rumored hardware projects such as a smart speaker and devices capable of sensing environmental data. Apple accuses OpenAI of using its stolen trade secrets to accelerate its own AI ambitions in this rapidly evolving market.
Apple’s lawsuit follows a 2024 partnership between the two companies to incorporate ChatGPT into Apple products. However, tensions emerged when Bloomberg reported in May that OpenAI considered suing Apple for inadequate integration and promotion of its AI tools. OpenAI has since aggressively recruited Apple engineers, with at least ten joining the firm directly from the company, as detailed in a recent CNN analysis of LinkedIn profiles. This suggests a broader strategy of leveraging Apple’s intellectual property to gain a competitive edge.
Industry experts note that the case underscores the growing importance of protecting trade secrets in the AI sector. With hardware and software innovations becoming increasingly intertwined, companies are under pressure to safeguard their proprietary data. Apple emphasizes its commitment to intellectual property, stating it raised concerns with OpenAI early in the investigation but received no satisfactory response. The lawsuit is expected to intensify the rivalry between the two firms, potentially reshaping the future of AI development and deployment.