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Apple vs. Open AI Explained: The Battle for AI Gadgets Begins With a Juicy Lawsuit

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing former employees of stealing trade secrets to develop rival AI hardware. The case could reveal OpenAI's secret device plans and potentially involve former Apple design chief Jony Ive in court.

read1 min views1 publishedJul 17, 2026
Apple vs. Open AI Explained: The Battle for AI Gadgets Begins With a Juicy Lawsuit
Image: Cnet (auto-discovered)

Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI is full of astonishing accusations and details, with Apple alleging it uncovered a pattern of theft of Apple's trade secrets. Apple's complaint mostly points the finger at a few ex-Apple employees that now work at OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.

OpenAI has faced quite a number of lawsuits lately on how it does business, but Apple's suit brings a different twist. If this case goes to trial, it could reveal the secret hardware that OpenAI has long teased. A trial could seek damages if Apple's work is being used to help develop some sort of rival AI device. Would a lawsuit spill the beans on a device -- or several devices -- before OpenAI is ready to launch?

Watch this: Apple vs. OpenAI: These Lawsuit Details Are Wild

This week's episode of One More Thing, embedded above, goes into the juicy details of the suit and what happens next. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he's not afraid of Apple, but maybe he should be. Taking rivals to court is part of the Apple playbook, and the company knows how to do it well.

The fight could also drag in a few famous Apple faces. Apple's former design chief, Jony Ive, is now working on making AI gadgets for OpenAI. That means Apple lawyers might call to the stand the former designer of the iPhone, to see if he used information stolen from Apple. (Awkwaaard.)

For more One More Thing, subscribe to our YouTube page to catch Bridget Carey breaking down the latest Apple news and issues every Friday.

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