OpenAI fights Apple trade secret suit, denies stealing iPhone IP

OpenAI pushed back Tuesday against Apple's trade secret lawsuit, asserting the allegations lack merit. The complaint, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses OpenAI Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan and other former Apple engineers of orchestrating a coordinated effort to obtain confidential iPhone and Mac intellectual property. Tan spent 24 years at Apple as vice president of product design. OpenAI's statement, shared by Bloomberg reporter Ed Ludlow, emphasized it takes the allegations seriously but sees no supporting evidence, adding the company supports employee freedom and fair competition.

Separately, Bloomberg reported that OpenAI is developing a mobile, screen-free smart speaker described as a "humanlike AI companion." The device, built with input from ex-Apple engineers, reportedly has moving mechanical elements and no screen. This aligns with OpenAI's recent acquisition of Jony Ive's startup io and its broader hardware ambitions, which Apple cites as motive for the alleged theft. Apple's internal investigation reportedly uncovered signs that OpenAI and its partners used confidential data to accelerate hardware development. OpenAI's initial denial claimed it has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets."