OpenAI's fragile Apple partnership crumbles as Apple opens to rivals

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the once-exclusive partnership between OpenAI and Apple has turned frosty. Apple is reportedly opening Apple Intelligence to any AI model that wants to participate—including rivals like Google and Anthropic—effectively ending ChatGPT’s special status. OpenAI expected ChatGPT to be deeply embedded in iOS, with prominent branding to drive subscriptions, but that never materialized. Apple also had reservations about OpenAI’s ability to protect user privacy and was displeased with OpenAI’s announcement of its own device (a potential smartphone designed by Jony Ive).

Talks to renew the agreement have stalled, and OpenAI is now exploring legal options. Bloomberg suggests the company may send a breach-of-contract notice without actually filing a lawsuit, a largely symbolic move. Pulling ChatGPT from iOS entirely seems unlikely given the user base. The simmering resentment underscores a shift in the AI landscape: Apple is moving toward a multi-model strategy, reducing dependence on any single partner. For OpenAI, this means losing a key distribution channel and a potential blow to subscription growth.