Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of stealing trade secrets, according to reports from The New York Times and TechCrunch. The legal action comes despite the two companies having struck a partnership deal in 2024 to offer AI services on Apple devices.
According to TechCrunch, Apple alleges that the misconduct was directed by OpenAI’s senior leadership, including a longtime former Apple employee. The New York Times reports that the partnership between the two tech giants has soured, leading to the current legal dispute.
The lawsuit represents a significant escalation in tensions between Apple and OpenAI, whose collaboration was intended to bring advanced AI capabilities to Apple’s device ecosystem. The specific nature of the alleged trade secret theft has not been detailed in the initial reports, nor have representatives from either company issued public statements about the litigation. The case highlights growing competitive pressures and disputes in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence industry, particularly as major technology companies race to integrate AI features into their products and services.