Elon Musk's artificial intelligence venture xAI and social media platform X have launched a high-stakes antitrust lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, accusing the tech giants of colluding to dominate AI development and smartphone integration. The legal battle, filed in a Texas federal court, highlights growing tensions in the race to control next-generation AI technologies.
The Core Allegations
The 61-page complaint claims Apple's iOS exclusivity deal with OpenAI—announced in June 2024—effectively blocks competitors like xAI's Grok chatbot from reaching iPhone users. Lawyers argue this partnership gives ChatGPT privileged access to data from "billions of user prompts" while allegedly delaying approval of rival AI applications.
Market Dominance Claims
The lawsuit presents striking statistics: Apple reportedly controls 65% of the U.S. smartphone market, while OpenAI claims 80% of the generative AI chatbot sector. Plaintiffs contend this dual monopoly creates an "innovation stranglehold" through App Store ranking manipulation and exclusive system-level integrations.
Industry Reactions
OpenAI dismissed the lawsuit as part of Musk's "ongoing pattern of harassment," while Apple has yet to formally respond. The filing follows public clashes between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who co-founded the AI pioneer with Musk in 2015 before their acrimonious split in 2018.
Legal experts suggest this case could reshape AI competition rules, with potential implications for developers worldwide seeking access to mobile platforms. The outcome may influence how Asian tech firms approach partnerships in key markets like semiconductors and consumer electronics.
