OpenAI Says Apple’s Trade-Secrets Lawsuit Is Really About the AI Talent War

OpenAI said in a court filing that Apple’s lawsuit accusing it of stealing trade secrets is “baseless and pretextual.” The ChatGPT maker argued Apple should not be allowed to use the case to make up for “shortcomings in the market for talent and retaining its employees.” OpenAI’s filing asks a judge to dismiss Apple’s suit.

Apple sued OpenAI in July, alleging the company benefited from trade secrets stolen by former Apple employees hired by OpenAI. The lawsuit includes allegations involving Chang Liu, described as a veteran Apple engineer, who Apple says improperly retained and accessed confidential company information after leaving for the AI lab in January. Apple told Business Insider that “significant evidence has emerged” suggesting OpenAI employees wrongfully took secret and confidential information about unreleased technologies.

OpenAI says recruiting top talent from Apple and other companies is common practice in Big Tech. The article notes that major tech companies have competed aggressively for a limited pool of top engineers, using major pay packages and benefits to poach talent. Apple said in its lawsuit that more than 400 Apple alumni now work at OpenAI.

Apple had not yet filed a court response to OpenAI’s latest filing, and a judge had not ruled on the dismissal request. OpenAI also said in a blog post, “We do not have, nor want, any of their trade secrets.” The key issue now is whether the court treats the dispute primarily as a trade-secrets case or as part of the broader battle for AI talent.