OpenAI claims employee sent secret device information to Apple

OpenAI told a court on Wednesday that a former employee sent more than a hundred “highly confidential files” about at least one unreleased AI device to personal accounts, then returned to Apple, in the latest twist of Apple’s trade-secrets suit filed in July against OpenAI and two ex-Apple staff including OpenAI hardware chief Tang Tan. The files allegedly include images, supplier information and hardware details; the employee spent six months at OpenAI. OpenAI says this may form a countersuit and argues Apple’s case is baseless and meant to deter staff leaving. Apple called the filing a distraction, said it found none of the files on its systems and that OpenAI hadn’t answered its requests. Part of the case concerns ex-Apple engineer Chang Liu, whose lawyer said one access of Apple files may have been a personal AI agent bot helping with a home redecoration crawling “all over the computer”, or a confused offboarding process. Judge Edward Davila wants a trial in June or July. Apple and OpenAI agreed to avoid an injunction; OpenAI seeks dismissal. OpenAI bought Jony Ive’s io for $6.4bn in 2025 and expects to launch its first device next year; it may list as soon as next year. Apple sent warning letters to dozens of ex-staff now at OpenAI and listed 14 priority employees whose communications it wants first. Apple’s Siri upgrade remains unavailable in the EU. Caveats: Apple says it found no such files; Liu’s lawyer floats an AI-agent explanation; discussions are early.