Apple Sues OpenAI: Trade Secret Theft Allegations Emerge

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the AI company stole trade secrets. Apple claims employees who moved to OpenAI kept access to its systems after leaving. The lawsuit describes OpenAI's hardware business as "rotten to its core" and built on stolen secrets. Apple accuses OpenAI of "coordinated misconduct," including exploiting a security bug and using interviews to gather confidential information. One allegation states a former Apple employee, Chang Liu, accessed internal systems after leaving due to an authentication bug. Apple says Liu downloaded confidential engineering files, including details on unreleased products, while working at OpenAI. He allegedly advised another Apple engineer to study confidential materials for an OpenAI interview and avoid detection. Apple also claims OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer, Tang Tan, asked Apple job candidates to bring physical components and prototypes for "show and tell" sessions during interviews. An OpenAI spokesperson stated the company has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" and focuses on building innovative technology. This legal battle highlights the intense competition and intellectual property concerns in the rapidly evolving AI industry.