Apple sues OpenAI for poaching staff and stealing hardware trade secrets

Published Jul 23, 10:37 AM UTC

Apple has filed a major lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI startup of poaching employees and stealing trade secrets related to hardware development. The lawsuit specifically names Tang Yew Tan, OpenAI's chief hardware officer and a former Apple vice president, alleging he took confidential supplier information. Apple claims OpenAI employees were asked to bring unreleased Apple hardware components to job interviews. The legal action follows a breakdown in the partnership between the two companies, which had previously collaborated on integrating ChatGPT into Apple devices. Tensions escalated after OpenAI acquired a hardware startup co-founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, signaling plans to develop AI devices that could compete with the iPhone. Apple is seeking damages and a court order to prevent OpenAI from using its trade secrets. OpenAI has stated it is unaware of any evidence supporting the complaint.