What was once considered a “perfectly complementary” AI cooperation project in the technology world: OpenAI and Appl, is now experiencing a rapid cooling of its relationship. According to an exclusive report by Bloomberg, the partnership, which has lasted for about two years, has become strained. OpenAI has not only failed to obtain the huge benefits originally expected, but has also hired an outside law firm to evaluate options, including issuing a formal breach notice to Apple.
ChatGPT integration benefits are far lower than expected, and the benefits are far less than originally promised
Back in June 2024, Apple announced a high-profile alliance with OpenAI at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) to integrate ChatGPT into the Apple Intelligence function of iPhone, iPad and Mac, presented through Siri and “Visual Intelligence” functions. At the time, both OpenAI and industry observers expected the partnership to bring OpenAI billions of dollars in new subscription revenue and secure a prime position in the world’s most used mobile ecosystem.
However, the reality is a slap in the face. According to Bloomberg,inside information, OpenAI has become increasingly dissatisfied, complaining that the integration depth of ChatGPT in the Apple system is far from enough, and the functions are “buried” in deep menus, making it difficult for ordinary users to find and use. What makes OpenAI even more frustrated is that the actual revenue is far from the original internal prediction, and it cannot achieve the expected goal at all. An OpenAI executive told Bloomberg: “Apple basically said: ‘OpenAI, you have to have faith and trust us.’ The results were not as expected.”
OpenAI hires outside lawyers to evaluate and issue breach notice to Apple
Seeing that the results of the cooperation were far less than expected, OpenAI decided to take the initiative. The news pointed out that OpenAI has hired an external law firm to comprehensively evaluate the feasibility of taking legal action against Apple. One option is to issue a formal breach notice to Apple, but it’s uncertain whether that will escalate to a full lawsuit. However, it is understood that any actual legal action is likely to wait until the end of the legal battle of the century between OpenAI and Elon Musk.
Apple counters OpenAI: poor privacy standards, still wants to make its own hardware
The cooperation failed, and Apple also had its own explanation. Bloomberg reported that Apple has doubts about OpenAI’s privacy protection standards, and it also has concerns about OpenAI’s privacy protection standards. Entering the hardware fieldThe project is led by former Apple executives such as former Apple design chief Jony Ive, which is probably not the best thing for Apple to see.
Ironically, Apple has now turned to working with Google. In January 2026, Apple and Google reached a multi-year agreement to use the Google Gemini model to provide support for the next generation of Apple Intelligence functions. Apple will pay Google approximately NT$32 billion per year (calculated at 1 US dollar ≈ 32 Taiwan dollars). From former partners to today’s lawsuit, OpenAI’s situation can be said to be full of dramatic turns.
Apple 確認與 Google 合作，將推出基於 Gemini 驅動 Apple Intelligence 與 Siri
OpenAI has been in turmoil recently: lawsuits of the century, lawsuits, Sora closure
The house leaks and it rains all night, and OpenAI has been in trouble in recent months. Elon Musk’s lawsuit of the century is pending against OpenAI for abandoning its non-profit mission and defrauding early investors, and the outcome could force OpenAI to completely restructure its business model. Meanwhile, OpenAI is also facing multiple lawsuits in federal court, including one involving users claiming ChatGPT’s advice led to overdose deaths, and another involving the Florida State University shooting.
More importantly, OpenAI’s previously high-profile AI movie generation service Sora was officially shut down in April, which also ended the NT$32 billion (approximately US$1 billion) cooperation agreement with Disney. The Wall Street Journal also disclosed that OpenAI has adjusted its strategy, converged on “sideline” businesses, and is focusing on core programming and enterprise services. It is also accelerating its IPO plan and aims to be listed in the last quarter of 2026.
Apple has a dark history of “burning bridges”, from Google Maps to Spotify.
Although OpenAI’s current situation is pitiable, some industry insiders point out that Apple has already had a long history of “killing the donkey”. Google Maps was once the flagship feature of the first-generation iPhone. It was replaced by Apple with its own Apple Maps in 2012, becoming one of the biggest technology jokes of the decade and forcing CEO Tim Cook to publicly apologize. In addition, Adobe Flash also died after Steve Jobs refused to support the open statement; Spotify has long-term friction with Apple over the App Store policy, which eventually led to the EU fined Apple nearly NT$6.2 billion (1.8 billion euros).
There are no permanent enemies or permanent friends in the technology world. The feud between OpenAI and Apple is probably just the latest footnote to this sentence. Next, it depends on whether the two parties will actually go to court or shake hands and make peace at the last minute.
Source: KOCPC Chinese