Apple has escalated its legal conflict with OpenAI to a much more personal and direct level. The Cupertino giant has sent warning letters to around 40 former employees now working at the AI company, a move that reflects growing tension between two of the most influential players in the tech sector. According to hipertextual.com, these letters order workers to preserve documents and communications, as well as demanding direct meetings with Apple's lawyers.

A considerable fraction of OpenAI's workforce under pressure

The letters reach approximately 10% of the 400 former Apple employees currently working at OpenAI. This is no minor figure: Sam Altman's company has systematically recruited talent from Cupertino, suggesting a clear strategy to capture top-level experience in hardware and systems.

Apple has been explicit in its intentions: according to its legal arguments, the evidence presented so far in courts is only the tip of the iceberg regarding the conduct it attributes to OpenAI. This tactic, combining legal pressure with direct contact with employees, suggests the company will not tolerate further leaks of confidential material without a response.

The origin of the dispute: accusations of information theft

Tensions escalated when Apple filed a lawsuit at a federal court in California against OpenAI and two of its former employees: Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan. The charges are serious. Liu, who worked as a senior electrical systems engineer, allegedly exploited a flaw in Apple's authentication system to access a former colleague's computer and download files about unreleased products.

Tan, a former vice president of product design for iPhone and Apple Watch, is accused of something different but equally concerning: using privileged information during hiring processes. He allegedly asked candidates to bring Apple components to job interviews.

Beyond these two names, Apple indicates in the lawsuit that it has detected signs that other former employees took protected information when joining OpenAI. The company had previously contacted Sam Altman's team, but an email error ultimately derailed negotiations ahead of the lawsuit.

OpenAI counterattacks: the failed iOS alliance

Although OpenAI is in the dock, it is not innocent in terms of friction with Apple. The AI company had already considered taking its own legal action against the Cupertino giant. An executive stated a few months ago that Apple breached the terms of their alliance to integrate ChatGPT into iOS more actively. "We have done everything from a product perspective. They haven't, and what's worse, they haven't even made an honest effort," he said.

The backdrop: OpenAI designs its first hardware device

The context of this legal war is especially delicate. OpenAI is working with Jon Rubinstein, former chief design officer at Apple, to develop its own devices. According to Bloomberg, the company's first gadget is neither a smartphone nor earbuds, but a screenless speaker that functions as an AI companion.

This device would sound like an Amazon Echo with Alexa, but powered by ChatGPT. It would be capable of controlling smart home accessories, answering questions, managing music and responding to messages. OpenAI's foray into hardware is undoubtedly a threat Apple takes seriously, and probably one of the reasons the company is being so aggressive in its legal action.

The question hanging over the industry is clear: will Apple manage to stop this legal offensive, or will both companies remain trapped in a battle that could cost millions in lawyers and resources?