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Apple's relationship with OpenAI is reportedly under pressure and becoming increasingly tense. A recent report indicates that the creator of ChatGPT is considering possible legal steps against Apple, claiming it has not sufficiently supported or promoted the integration of ChatGPT into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This collaboration was first introduced at WWDC 2024 and was thought to be a significant move in integrating generative AI into the iPhone ecosystem. As reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, attorneys for OpenAI are collaborating with an outside law firm to explore various legal actions against Apple. This could potentially involve sending a formal notice regarding a contract violation. Nonetheless, it appears OpenAI has not made a conclusive decision yet and still hopes to settle the issue privately without resorting to a lawsuit. The conflict seems to stem from OpenAI's unhappiness with how Apple has integrated ChatGPT into its systems. The report mentions that OpenAI leaders initially felt confident that the partnership would greatly enhance ChatGPT subscriptions and improve its visibility through more integration with Siri and Apple applications. However, the actual integration is still quite limited and challenging for many users to access.

The report suggests that for users to get OpenAI responses, they often need to specifically state “ChatGPT” when using Siri. Furthermore, the responses are shown in a smaller interface and provide fewer functions than the independent ChatGPT application. Gurman highlighted that OpenAI leaders think Apple has not put enough effort into promoting the integration on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. An unidentified OpenAI executive reportedly stated that the ChatGPT creator has done “everything from a product perspective,” while Apple “hasn't even made a genuine attempt. ” The connection is likely further strained by Apple’s growing partnerships with competing AI companies. The tech giant from Cupertino has been frequently rumored to be planning more extensive AI integrations within iOS 27, which would enable users to choose third-party AI models directly through Siri. Notably, Apple and Google announced a multi-year partnership earlier this year, which will allow Gemini and Google's cloud technology to support the next generation of Apple Foundation Models.

Additionally, the report notes that OpenAI's increasing interest in hardware has also led to tensions between the two companies. The creator of ChatGPT is developing an AI wearable device, with former Apple Design chief Jony Ive leading the project. On the other hand, Apple has reportedly had concerns regarding privacy related to ChatGPT, even during the initial negotiations in 2024. However, it seems the company moved forward with the partnership due to its own AI features still being under development at that time.