Elon Musk’s xAI Sues Apple and OpenAI
Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI has filed a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI. It’s with his social platform X too. They claim the two are colluding to hurt competition in AI. This stems from Apple’s recent deal to add ChatGPT to its devices. Musk’s team calls it a way to lock down the market. The suit hit the courts on August 25, 2025. Now everyone’s buzzing about it.
Musk loves a good fight, especially against big tech. He has old beef with OpenAI. He helped start it years ago. Adding Apple to this mix ramps things up. The complaint says Apple uses its phone power to favor OpenAI. This makes it hard for other AI firms to compete.
The Core Allegations: Collusion to Crush Competition
xAI says Apple and OpenAI are teaming up unfairly. They aim to slow AI innovation. The key issue is Apple’s June 2024 partnership with OpenAI. It puts ChatGPT into iPhones and more. Rollout starts with iOS 18.2 in December 2024. The suit claims this protects Apple’s phone lead. It also makes OpenAI the top AI chatbot.
Musk posted on X this month about it. He said no other AI can top the App Store besides OpenAI. The lawsuit uses that post as evidence. xAI calls this setup biased. They label OpenAI a monopoly in its area. Apple acts as the gatekeeper, happy to help if it keeps control.
Apple and OpenAI haven’t commented yet. We’re waiting for their response.
A Bit of Backstory: Musk’s Rocky History with OpenAI
Musk’s past with OpenAI explains the tension. He co-founded and co-chaired it at first. But relations went bad over time. In March 2024, Musk sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman. He wanted to block its for-profit shift. A judge dismissed it in March 2025.
Then in February 2025, Musk tried to buy OpenAI. His group offered $97.4 billion. OpenAI said no. Meanwhile, Musk and Altman keep trading barbs online. It feels like a tech drama show.
xAI is Musk’s new AI play. It competes head-on. This lawsuit fits his push for open AI. He paints Apple and OpenAI as the closed-off big shots.
Key Points from the Lawsuit
Here are the main bits to break it down:
- The Partnership in Question: Apple links up with OpenAI. It adds ChatGPT to Siri and apps. This boosts both at rivals’ cost.
- Anticompetitive Claims: xAI says it blocks other AI growth. Especially in app stores and devices.
- Musk’s Quote: His X post calls the App Store rigged for OpenAI. It shows favoritism.
- Timeline of Drama: June 2024 deal announcement. Failed buyout in February 2025. Now this August 2025 suit. It’s nonstop.
- What’s at Stake: xAI wants to fight these tactics. It might force big changes in AI deals.
What This Means for the AI Industry Going Forward
This suit could rock the AI world if it sticks. Governments already eye big tech ties for antitrust risks. If Apple’s deal gets hit as unfair, others might face checks too. For users, it could mean more AI options. But it might slow new ideas if firms play safe.
Some see it as Musk just causing stir. His firms have goals too. xAI builds its own models. X grows beyond social stuff. Is this for real fairness? Or to trip up foes? We’ll see as it plays out.
The tech scene is alive with talk. Suits like this show AI’s fierce race. With Musk, Altman, and Apple in it, more surprises loom. We’ll watch for updates. For now, the fight’s on for AI’s future.
