Apple Sues OpenAI Over Trade Secret Theft and Stolen AI Hardware Designs

The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, alleges that OpenAI recruited several senior Apple engineers who had direct access to proprietary designs for neural processing units and on-device AI accelerators. Apple claims these engineers, now in leadership roles at OpenAI, copied detailed schematics and performance benchmarks before resigning.

According to the complaint, OpenAI used the stolen information to develop its own AI chip architecture, skipping the multi-year research phase Apple had invested in. The suit specifically names two former Apple hardware directors who joined OpenAI in 2023, asserting they violated non-disclosure agreements and fiduciary duties.

Apple is seeking unspecified damages and a court order barring OpenAI from using the contested designs in any commercial product. The company also demands the return of all confidential documents and a forensic audit of OpenAI's hardware development records.

OpenAI has not yet filed a response, but legal experts say the case could hinge on whether Apple can prove the engineers took physical or digital copies of the designs, rather than relying on memory. Similar trade secret cases in the tech sector have often settled out of court, but Apple's aggressive posture suggests it may push for a public ruling.

The lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal battles between major tech firms over AI talent and intellectual property, as companies race to dominate the consumer AI hardware market.