Published: Mon, 25 Aug 2025 | New Delhi | 4 min read
Synopsis: Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI has taken a bold step, filing a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI. Musk accuses the two companies of secretly colluding to dominate the artificial intelligence market, a move that he claims has already cost his firm billions of dollars. So, what exactly is the fight about? Let’s break it down.
The Allegations: Apple–OpenAI Deal in Spotlight
Elon Musk Sues OpenAI and Apple : According to court filings in Texas, Musk’s company alleges that Apple struck an exclusive deal with OpenAI. Under this partnership, ChatGPT is being directly integrated into Apple devices — including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Read In Hindi -मस्क लेंगे Open AI और एप्पल से कानूनी पंगा: इन कम्पनीज पर पर क्यों भड़के ,क्या है इस मुक़दमे के पीछे की बजह?
xAI argues that this arrangement is unfair because it sidelines competitors. For instance, Musk’s own AI chatbot, Grok, has been struggling to gain visibility on Apple’s App Store due to this deal. His team claims this exclusivity has already caused multi-billion-dollar losses to xAI’s growth and innovation plans.
Grok vs. ChatGPT: The Bigger Picture
Musk has been investing heavily to expand xAI’s footprint. Earlier this year, he acquired his own social media platform X (formerly Twitter) for $33 billion to strengthen Grok’s ecosystem. Grok has also been integrated into Tesla cars and positioned as a direct challenger to ChatGPT.
Launched just two years ago, xAI has quickly risen to challenge industry leaders. But Musk insists that Apple and OpenAI’s alleged deal is making it nearly impossible for newcomers to thrive.
Targeting Sam Altman Too
Interestingly, the lawsuit doesn’t stop with Apple and OpenAI. Musk has also named OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman in the legal complaint. The filing argues that OpenAI abandoned its founding principle of being a non-profit research organisation and transformed into a profit-driven corporation — something Musk claims goes against its original promise to humanity.
Apple’s Policies Already Under Fire
This is not the first time Apple’s ecosystem policies have faced criticism. In the past, Epic Games sued Apple over its App Store practices, accusing it of restricting competition. The court had then ordered Apple to allow more freedom for developers.
Now, with Musk’s lawsuit, the debate has reignited: Is Apple once again creating a monopoly, this time in the AI space?
Why This Case Matters
Experts believe this legal battle is bigger than just Musk vs. Apple or OpenAI. The outcome could determine how open and competitive the AI industry remains. If Musk wins, it might force Big Tech to open up their platforms, creating room for new players. If not, Apple and OpenAI’s partnership could cement their dominance for years to come.
