Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the artificial‑intelligence firm misappropriated trade secrets belonging to the technology giant.
The complaint focuses on former Apple senior systems electrical engineer Chang Liu, who is accused of extracting confidential information related to Apple’s hardware projects and delivering it to OpenAI representatives.
Apple asserts that the stolen material includes detailed designs and strategic plans intended for internal use only, and that the breach threatens the company’s competitive position in emerging AI‑enabled devices.
According to the filing, the alleged misconduct represents only a fraction of a broader pattern of unauthorized disclosures, suggesting that additional proprietary data may have been compromised.
Apple’s legal action comes amid heightened competition in the AI sector, where OpenAI is developing models and hardware platforms that could challenge Apple’s ecosystem of devices.
In a separate dispute, a unit of SpaceX has sued Apple, claiming that the company’s App Store policies disadvantage the space‑technology firm’s AI‑driven application.
Apple maintains that its App Store operates under algorithmic ranking and expert curation, and that it does not engage in practices designed to suppress competitors.
Industry observers note that Apple’s recent litigation reflects growing concern over the rapid advancement of AI technologies and the potential impact on its product roadmap.
The outcomes of these cases could shape how major technology companies protect intellectual property and navigate competitive pressures in the AI hardware market.
