Apple has accused OpenAI of unlawfully accessing sensitive internal information by employing former Apple employees.
In a federal lawsuit filed on Friday, Apple is taking legal action against an artificial intelligence (AI) company, two of its staff members, and io Products for engaging in a systematic “theft” of Apple’s confidential product development information and related work.
Reports indicate that at least two long-time Apple employees, who transitioned to OpenAI, allegedly contributed to this infringement by emailing themselves proprietary internal information from Apple.
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri responded to the allegations, stating to the BBC, “We are not interested in other companies’ trade secrets.”
Pusateri highlighted that the company is currently reviewing Apple’s claims and remains “dedicated to developing innovative technology that empowers individuals worldwide.”
An Apple spokesperson informed the BBC that the lawsuit is based on “significant evidence” of the alleged wrongdoing.
This legal action marks a notable change in Apple’s relationship with OpenAI, known for its AI chatbot, ChatGPT.
Previously, Apple’s outgoing CEO Tim Cook had integrated ChatGPT into Apple devices, enhancing their AI capabilities.
Earlier this year, Apple transitioned many of its AI functionalities to use Google’s Gemini models and tools.
Following Cook’s announcement of his departure in April, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman lauded him as a “legend” and expressed gratitude for his contributions.
Currently, Apple is alleging that OpenAI has devised a “strategy to extract Apple’s confidential information.”
The lawsuit also targets io Products, a design startup founded by Jony Ive, a veteran Apple executive, which OpenAI acquired last year.
Additionally, the lawsuit names Chang Liu, a senior electrical engineer formerly at Apple for eight years, and Tang Yew Tan, a vice president with 24 years at Apple, who is now OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer.
Apple claims that through their access to these former employees and their “sensitive projects, trusted partnerships, proprietary manufacturing technologies, and unreleased products,” OpenAI has gained insights into Apple’s product strategies and operations.
Furthermore, Apple alleges that OpenAI is interviewing current Apple employees to extract additional sensitive information.
During these interviews, OpenAI purportedly instructed candidates to bring “actual parts” from Apple as “props” to demonstrate and discuss.
Apple contends that all parties involved in the lawsuit have “colluded as a company to misuse Apple’s confidential information” to further OpenAI’s objectives in the consumer hardware market.
OpenAI has announced plans to unveil its first hardware product, a keyboard designed for use with its AI tools, this month.
Additionally, the company intends to pursue public listing.
Apple asserted that OpenAI’s alleged misconduct has become prevalent and is reflected in its leadership practices, leading to a hardware business built on “shaky foundations, undermined by the unlawful use of misappropriated trade secrets.”
Apple added that it attempted to address its concerns with OpenAI back in February, but its attempts were disregarded.
In the lawsuit, Apple is requesting that the court prohibits OpenAI from obtaining or utilizing the purportedly confidential information and is seeking unspecified monetary damages.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk