The ChatGPT developers at OpenAI are apparently so dissatisfied with the results of their Siri partnership with Apple that they are considering legal action against Cupertino. A new report describes a fractured business relationship – just before WWDC 2026, where Apple will unveil a new generation of Siri with other AI partners.
Apple and OpenAI struck a deal in the summer of 2024 that integrated ChatGPT into Siri as part of iOS 18. Nearly two years later, this has become a strained partnership – one whose tensions are erupting precisely at the time when Apple is rebuilding its AI platform with Gemini technology for the next generation of Siri and integrating third-party AI like Claude via an open extension system.
What OpenAI is specifically preparing
According to Bloomberg, OpenAI's lawyers are currently working with an external firm on several options that could be formally implemented in the near future. One possible approach is for OpenAI to send a notice to Apple alleging a breach of contract - without necessarily filing a lawsuit immediately. No final decision has been made, and OpenAI still hopes to settle the dispute out of court.
This approach would initially build diplomatic pressure without immediately resorting to legal action. Even such a breach of contract lawsuit would be unwelcome for Apple, as it would publicly damage its relationship with one of the most prominent AI providers – especially during the crucial period leading up to WWDC 2026.
Where OpenAI feels overlooked
The OpenAI manager quoted in the Bloomberg report makes clear where he sees the breakdown in the deal. OpenAI "did everything from a product perspective," while Apple failed to deliver its part of the bargain – "and worse still, they didn't even try honestly." The original expectation was that ChatGPT would be deeply integrated into numerous Apple apps and given a prominent position in Siri. This deeper integration largely failed to materialize.
A key aspect is the ability to subscribe to ChatGPT directly from the iPhone settings. OpenAI had internally anticipated that this sales channel could generate "billions of dollars a year in subscriptions." In reality, this level has not been even remotely reached.
The deal context: no money flowing, lots of "leap of faith"
A key point from the report: No money changes hands between Apple and OpenAI – Apple pays OpenAI nothing for using ChatGPT, but receives a share of the ChatGPT subscriptions purchased via iOS devices. Thus, OpenAI's only significant source of revenue from the partnership was the hope of mass distribution for its subscription business.
The OpenAI manager quoted recalls the initial phase with a sobering look: "When we first heard about this opportunity, it sounded fantastic: gaining a huge number of customers and achieving distribution across such a large mobile ecosystem." However, at the time, Apple was unwilling to disclose the specifics of the final product. They essentially said, "OpenAI needs to take the initiative and trust us," the manager explained. From his perspective today, it's clear: the deal was a failure for OpenAI.
Apple's opening up to competition – but that's not the point of contention
With iOS 27, Apple plans to implement an extension system that will integrate multiple AI providers into Siri simultaneously – from its standard partner Gemini to Anthropic with Claude, and other providers as well. However, according to an OpenAI manager, Apple's decision to open the platform to competition is explicitly not the reason for the legal escalation: the original agreement was never intended to be exclusive.
The real bone of contention runs deeper: OpenAI feels fundamentally misunderstood. Continuing to work with Apple on the new models is no longer an option for OpenAI – the experience from the first phase has left its mark. "Apple has so much market power that they can dictate the terms," the manager stated. "We already took this leap of faith with you once, and it didn't end well."
Personnel tensions between Cupertino and San Francisco
Behind the business dispute lies another layer: OpenAI is simultaneously building its own hardware – led by Apple's former design chief Jony Ive – and has poached numerous Apple engineers for this purpose. Apple executives have reportedly been "furious" about these recruitment activities for over a year. The relationship between the two companies was therefore already significantly strained before the current legal escalation.
ChatGPT is currently still integrated system-wide in iOS – as a fallback for Siri for knowledge-based questions, in Image Playgrounds for image generation, and in Visual Intelligence. This integration will not change in the short term, as the legal dispute is only just beginning.
An escalation shortly before WWDC is no coincidence
OpenAI's timing is striking: Just weeks before WWDC 2026, where Apple will unveil its major Siri reboot with a Gemini backend and extension system for third-party developers, the conflict with its primary partner becomes public. This has strategic value: OpenAI wants to be present in the public narrative just as Apple is announcing its intention to prominently integrate other AI models in the future. Anyone who exerts legal or at least media pressure secures room for negotiation – whether for renegotiated terms or for an orderly exit from the existing agreement.
For Apple, the situation is complicated, but not existential. With Gemini, Claude, and its own Apple Intelligence technology, Cupertino has long had several footholds in its AI strategy – ChatGPT is just one of them. A break with OpenAI would hardly hurt functionally. From a PR perspective, however, it would: ChatGPT is by far the best-known AI brand worldwide, and a legal dispute would ensure that this perception is reflected in every headline.
What might happen next
Specifically, three scenarios are on the table: an out-of-court settlement with renegotiated terms, a formal breach of contract notice without legal action, or a full-blown legal battle. The fact that OpenAI, according to the report, has "not yet made a final decision" suggests that the threat of legal action is itself part of the negotiating strategy. Which option Apple and OpenAI ultimately choose should become clear in the weeks surrounding WWDC – when it becomes apparent what role ChatGPT will ultimately play in Apple's new Siri architecture.
Apple's AI strategy is currently being renegotiated – behind closed doors
What began as a pioneering partnership in 2024 now symbolizes the new phase of Apple's AI strategy: moving away from individual key alliances and toward an open marketplace of providers. OpenAI has a lot to lose in this shift – its exclusive visibility as "the AI for iPhones" is effectively gone. Whether the outcome will be an out-of-court settlement, a modified partnership, or a complete break will be decided in the coming months. One thing is clear: the days of the comfortable Apple-OpenAI symbiosis are over. (Image: Shutterstock / Thrive Studios ID)
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