OpenAI claims ex-employee gave product plans to Apple

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 20:08 · Archive

OpenAI has accused a former employee of taking over 100 confidential files and presenting them to Apple leadership.

OpenAI has accused a former employee of stealing more than 100 confidential files related to its product plans and presenting them to Apple's senior leadership. In a court filing on Wednesday, OpenAI claims the unnamed employee, who previously worked at Apple before joining OpenAI for six months, sent the files to a personal account and then presented them to Apple's operations leadership in Asia.

OpenAI alleges the files contain images of at least one unreleased device, supplier information, engineering data, manufacturing data, standards for cosmetic finishes, and information about hardware component coating and sealing. OpenAI claims the presentation happened months ago and links Apple's recently announced HomeView smart display and other newly revealed products to the leaked information.

OpenAI told the court it has raised these issues directly with Apple but that Apple has not provided assurances it is not in possession of or using the confidential information. OpenAI asked for permission to investigate and pursue counterclaims if necessary. Apple told Reuters it has found no evidence to support OpenAI's claims and said it has policies in place to ensure new employees do not use confidential information from previous employers.

The accusation comes as part of a broader legal dispute between the companies. Apple sued OpenAI in July, alleging that OpenAI employees stole trade secrets from Apple to develop new AI hardware.

How it is being reported

• OpenAI Says Ex-Employee Showed Its Device Plans to AppleOpenAI today suggested Apple could be using its trade secrets, the very thing Apple is already suing OpenAI for. In a court filing , OpenAI accused an ex-employee of giving sensitive data about an unreleased product to Apple. The unnamed employee joined OpenAI from Apple and then returned after six months. OpenAI claims the person sent "over a hundred highly confidential files" to personal accounts, including manufacturing data and detailed images of at least one unreleased product. The former employee allegedly "made a presentation" on OpenAI product plans for Apple's senior leadership…MacRumors · 14 Oct, 19:55
• OpenAI claims an ex-employee took its product plans and presented them to AppleOpenAI claims a former employee took more than 100 files related to its product plans before joining Apple. In a document filed on Wednesday, OpenAI accuses the unnamed employee of sending this information to a personal account and then presenting it to Apple leadership, including the vice president of the company's operations in Asia. The […]The Verge · 14 Oct, 17:43

In this story: OpenAI · Apple

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem