Elon Musk has reacted to Apple‘s lawsuit against OpenAI, backing claims made in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the AI company stole trade secrets to build competing consumer hardware. Responding to posts by X user DogeDesigner, Musk sharply criticized OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, writing, “Scam Altman strikes again …” In a separate reply, Musk added, “He takes scamming to a whole new level.” His comments came after Apple filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of misappropriating trade secrets and recruiting former Apple employees involved in hardware development.
Elon Musk responds to Apple’s lawsuit
The first post shared by DogeDesigner claimed:”Apple just sued OpenAI, claiming the company stole its trade secrets ‘at every level’, from technical staff to the Chief Hardware Officer, to build competing consumer hardware.”Replying to the post, Musk wrote:”Scam Altman strikes again …”In another post, DogeDesigner wrote:”Elon Musk warned the world about Scam Altman. Now everyone is finding out why.”Musk responded:”He takes scamming to a whole new level.”
Apple’s allegations against OpenAI
According to the lawsuit, Apple alleges that OpenAI improperly obtained its confidential trade secrets while building its consumer AI hardware efforts. The complaint claims OpenAI hired several former Apple employees, including senior hardware executives, and alleges that confidential information related to Apple’s hardware development was used to accelerate competing products. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI encouraged job candidates during interviews to bring physical Apple prototypes, share proprietary manufacturing processes, and help the AI company tap into Apple’s closely guarded supplier network.Apple claims these stolen materials were used to jumpstart OpenAI’s own secret consumer hardware projects. The lawsuit explicitly names two former Apple employees alongside OpenAI and an AI device startup called io Products Inc.OpenAI has responded to the lawsuit with Drew Pusateri, OpenAI’s Director of Strategic Communications, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to flatly deny the allegations: “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere”.