After Apple announced a series of new devices for smart homes, OpenAI is intensifying the commercial confidentiality disputes with Apple.
OpenAI mentioned in a new legal document that an unnamed former employee sent “100 highly confidential files” to them when leaving OpenAI in June of this year. The documents state that these materials contain information about at least one unreleased device that OpenAI is developing. OpenAI stated that this employee worked at Apple for 6 months before joining OpenAI and has now returned to Apple.
According to OpenAI, as far as they know, this unnamed employee later introduced the product plans of this AI company to "Apple's senior management, including the Vice President of Apple's operations in Asia."
"That introduction seems to have taken place a few months ago – and now, Apple, having obtained this information, is stepping up its efforts to advance the products empowered by AI," wrote the lawyer for OpenAI in the document.
Apple stated in a statement that no evidence was found to support the claims of OpenAI. Apple claimed that OpenAI submitted this document on Wednesday in an attempt to divert attention away from the accusations against itself; OpenAI had previously accused its former employees of stealing Apple's trade secrets.
OpenAI indicates that these files contain "highly confidential engineering and manufacturing data regarding the device(s)", as well as "supplier information and project documents, appearance treatment standards, and reports related to the coating and sealing of hardware components."
In July this year, Apple sued OpenAI, accusing this AI company of having "a pattern of improper conduct that was coordinated at an institutional level" in order to steal its trade secrets. OpenAI denied any improper conduct and stated that it has no interest in Apple's trade secrets.
In a blog post in August of this year, OpenAI criticized Apple's lawsuit as "reckless, radical, and strangely personal, which, regrettably, does not match its reputation." In a legal document, OpenAI also took the opportunity to mention the difficulties Apple is said to face in the AI talent competition.
On Tuesday, Apple announced HomeView – a display screen priced at $299, which is also the company's first smart home device, powered by Siri AI.
Apple also announced a series of smart home products developed in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. In the announcement, Apple emphasized that its AI system can add functionality to these devices, such as helping users summarize the situations captured by outdoor cameras or automatically adjusting the thermostat when a user enters a room.
OpenAI indicates that it is concerned that the information taken by employees may be used by Apple.
“OpenAI is very concerned that its trade secrets and confidential information are now circulating within Apple,” the company’s lawyer wrote, “Apple engineers can use this information to shape the products that Apple is about to launch, and they can do so based on the confidential and innovative work of OpenAI.”
When referring to Apple's ambitions, the lawyer for OpenAI linked to this tech giant's new lineup of devices in a footnote, which includes HomeView.
