John Ternus and Tang Tan had competed for control of Apple’s hardware organisation years before Tan left to build OpenAI’s iPhone challenger. Now Tan is personally accused in Apple’s trade-secret lawsuit, while most of OpenAI’s 400 Apple recruits reportedly came from the division Ternus once led.

Apple has lost significant talent to OpenAI as the frontier lab prepares to unveil its first hardware device.

Apple alleges the misconduct was directed by OpenAi's senior leadership, including a long-time former employee.