Summary: Apple Inc. (AAPL) touched a session low Thursday afternoon, slipping roughly 1% following a report that said its partnership with OpenAI has grown strained and that OpenAI is preparing potential legal measures. The disagreement centers on the scope and visibility of the integration of OpenAI technology within Apple’s software, and on unmet expectations about the commercial upside for the AI developer.
According to people familiar with the matter, OpenAI lawyers have retained an outside law firm to review options that could be executed in the near term. One course of action under consideration is delivering a notice to Apple alleging a breach of contract without immediately filing a full lawsuit. The involvement of outside counsel has intensified in recent days as OpenAI seeks to address its concerns.
The partnership between Apple and OpenAI began two years ago and included the integration of ChatGPT into Apple software. The AI startup had expected the alliance to increase subscriptions to its chatbot, to broaden the technology’s presence across more Apple apps, and to secure prominent placement within Apple’s Siri assistant. Those aims, according to the report, have not been realized.
Observers cited in the report said Apple’s implementation of OpenAI technology across its operating systems remains limited and that features tied to the collaboration can be difficult for users to locate. The limited rollout and low visibility are central to OpenAI’s dissatisfaction with the commercial benefits of the arrangement.
For market participants, the immediate impact was a modest pullback in Apple shares on the day the report circulated. The situation is unfolding as OpenAI evaluates legal options and as both companies consider the future of their two-year relationship. The report did not detail any formal filings or specify a timetable for potential legal action.
Contextual note: This article reports on the details disclosed in the recent report about the Apple-OpenAI partnership and the possible legal steps under consideration. It does not introduce additional developments beyond those contained in that report.