Elon Musk sharply attacked OpenAI CEO Sam Altman once again as the AI company confronts a new legal challenge from Apple. Musk accused Altman of deceiving people and taking "scamming to a whole new level" in a recent social media post, intensifying their ongoing rivalry.
This public jab coincides with Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of misappropriating trade secrets linked to Apple’s upcoming hardware products. The complaint alleges that OpenAI encouraged employees to share confidential materials, such as engineering drawings and device components, to advance its own development efforts.
Among those named in the suit is Tang Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and a former Apple vice president who contributed to key products like the iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple claims that OpenAI sought to leverage Tan’s knowledge and proprietary information for competitive advantage. OpenAI has denied these accusations, stating that it has no interest in obtaining trade secrets from rivals.
Musk’s criticism of Altman is part of a broader, long-standing dispute that dates back to OpenAI’s early days. Once collaborators, Musk and Altman have since become vocal adversaries, publicly clashing over the company’s direction, leadership, and business practices.
Apple’s legal action adds another dimension to the conflict, stirring wider debate about ethics and competition in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence innovation. While the lawsuit and Musk’s remarks elevate tensions, the case also draws attention to the challenges tech firms face in protecting intellectual property amid intense industry rivalry.