OpenAI alleges former staffer funneled trade secrets to Apple

The legal filing details a breach involving highly sensitive technical documentation, ranging from engineering schematics to specific standards for cosmetic finishes and hardware sealing. OpenAI claims the unnamed individual moved these files to a personal account, eventually showcasing them to Apple’s vice president of operations in Asia months ago. This transfer, according to OpenAI, provided Apple with a roadmap for its current push into AI-enabled hardware.

This confrontation represents a significant escalation in a broader trade secret dispute between the two tech giants. While Apple has long maintained that its smart display projects have been in development for years, OpenAI argues the timing of Apple’s latest product announcements is suspicious. The company expressed deep concern that its internal innovations are currently circulating within Apple’s engineering teams, potentially influencing future device development. Apple previously leveled its own accusations against OpenAI, claiming the firm spied on hardware prototypes to accelerate its own product goals.