OpenAI Addresses Apple’s Trade Secret Lawsuit

On Tuesday, OpenAI responded to Apple’s trade secret lawsuit by claiming the allegations are unfounded.

“We take these claims seriously, but we are unaware of any evidence to support them,” OpenAI remarked in a statement shared by Bloomberg reporter Ed Ludlow on X. “We support fair competition and the right for individuals to work where they wish. Our priority remains on creating innovative technology that benefits people around the globe.”

This statement comes after Apple’s recent lawsuit against OpenAI, which asserts that certain former Apple employees were involved in a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information and intellectual property. The 41-page lawsuit, filed last Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, includes multiple allegations against OpenAI’s leadership, particularly Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan. Before joining OpenAI, Tan dedicated 24 years to Apple, during which he held key positions, including vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.

This is OpenAI’s first official response regarding the case. In an earlier statement made shortly after Apple’s lawsuit was submitted, the organization asserted it has no interest in technologies created by others, telling TechCrunch: “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. Our goal is to develop innovative technology that empowers individuals globally.”

According to Apple’s lawsuit, an internal investigation revealed that OpenAI and its partners allegedly used the company’s confidential data in the creation of their own hardware product.

Recent reports, along with OpenAI’s acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup io, suggest that the company is working on a device that could compete with Apple’s products. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that OpenAI is developing a mobile, screen-free smart speaker, described by sources familiar with the project as a “humanlike AI companion” designed for home usage.

The upcoming device is reportedly screenless, equipped with mechanical moving parts, and is being developed with insights from several former Apple engineers who worked on the iPhone and Mac.

TechCrunch has reached out to OpenAI for further comments and will update this article upon receiving a response.