Apple sues OpenAI, its employees claiming theft of trade secrets

This year, Apple shifted more of its AI features to run on Google's Gemini model and tools.Yet, when Cook revealed in April that he was stepping down, Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, publicly praised him as "a legend", adding he was "very thankful for everything he has done".Now, Apple is accusing OpenAI of undertaking a "strategy to extract Apple's confidential information".Along with OpenAI, Apple is suing io Products, the design startup founded by Jony Ive, a long-time Apple executive. OpenAI acquired the company last year.It is also suing Chang Liu, a senior electrical engineer who worked at Apple for eight years, and Tang Yew Tan, a vice president of design for iPhone and Apple Watch who spent 24 years with the company. Tan is now OpenAI's chief hardware officer.Through these former employees and their access to "sensitive projects, trusted partner relationships, proprietary manufacturing techniques, and unreleased products," Apple claims OpenAI has been able to glean details of its product plans and operations.Apple added that when OpenAI interviews current Apple employees for potential jobs the company allegedly tries to extract further information from them.OpenAI interviewers allegedly have told the prospective hires to "bring 'actual parts' as 'props' from Apple for 'show and tell'" during their interview.