OpenAI, an artificial intelligence company developing new technology and devices, said Tuesday that it is not aware of evidence supporting Apple Inc. NASDAQ:AAPL, the iPhone maker, in its lawsuit alleging trade-secret theft. Apple filed the complaint four days earlier, claiming OpenAI obtained proprietary technology to support the development of its own family of artificial intelligence-powered devices. OpenAI said it takes the allegations seriously but believes the complaint lacks merit based on the evidence currently known to the company.
Apple alleged that OpenAI's chief hardware officer, who previously led iPhone design, encouraged employees to bring components connected to Apple products into job interviews. The company also claimed OpenAI created a process that could help Apple employees bypass internal security procedures. Apple further alleged that a former iPhone engineer who joined OpenAI earlier this year accessed its systems to obtain engineering presentations and other company information.
OpenAI's latest statement expands on its initial response from Friday, when the company said it had no interest in using trade secrets belonging to other businesses and remained focused on developing its own technology. OpenAI also emphasized fair competition and employees' freedom to work wherever they choose. Investors may view the lawsuit as a potential source of uncertainty for OpenAI's hardware ambitions, particularly as the company works to develop devices that could compete more directly with Apple's established product ecosystem.