OpenAI is weighing legal action against Apple after the tech giant’s much-touted ChatGPT integration underdelivered, according to multiple sources who spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity. What was supposed to be a revenue powerhouse—with OpenAI executives estimating it could generate billions annually—turned into a disappointment that insiders now describe as a “burned” partnership. Apple rolled out the integration last year, positioning it as a way to let users access ChatGPT through Siri and other services, but the feature never gained traction. Sources close to the deal say OpenAI now believes Apple intentionally failed to promote it, leaving the AI company frustrated and worried about long-term brand damage to ChatGPT. The tension mirrors Apple’s earlier deal embedding Google search in Safari, a move critics saw as Apple protecting its own ad revenue while promoting a competitor’s product. The ChatGPT integration was announced with fanfare at Apple’s WWDC event in June 2024, touted as a way to make Siri more capable without Apple having to build its own advanced AI model. But behind the scenes, OpenAI’s expectations were sky-high. Executives anticipated the deal would drive a flood of new subscriptions, especially as Apple pushed users toward paid tiers of ChatGPT. Instead, the integration saw minimal adoption, with few users even noticing the feature was there. Insiders say Apple’s lack of promotion—such as burying the ChatGPT option deep in settings or failing to highlight it in marketing—made it nearly invisible to the average iPhone user. ## Apple’s strategy or oversight? OpenAI’s concerns aren’t just about money. Sources say the company now worries Apple’s tepid rollout hurt ChatGPT’s reputation, making it seem like an afterthought rather than a premium feature. The deal’s structure required Apple to prominently display ChatGPT options, but according to insiders, the company dragged its feet on implementation. Apple has long faced criticism for prioritizing its own AI efforts while striking deals with outside firms, a strategy that’s drawn scrutiny from regulators and users alike. The ChatGPT partnership was supposed to be a win-win—Apple got advanced AI without the development cost, and OpenAI got a massive new user base. But the reality hasn’t matched the hype. ## What happens next? OpenAI is now considering its options, which could include renegotiating the deal, pursuing legal action over breach of contract, or walking away entirely. The company has reportedly held internal discussions about how to address Apple’s perceived lack of effort in promoting the integration. For Apple, the fallout could extend beyond this single deal. If OpenAI pulls back or publicly criticizes the partnership, it could make future collaborations with other tech giants even harder. The stakes are high for both sides—Apple needs AI partners to keep its devices competitive, while OpenAI relies on big tech to scale its user base quickly. The broader tech world will be watching closely. If this deal collapses, it could signal a shift in how AI companies approach partnerships with hardware makers, with firms like OpenAI demanding stricter terms or seeking alternative routes to market.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Ars Technica
  • Published: May 15, 2026 at 18:13 UTC
  • Category: Technology
  • Topics: #arstechnica · #tech · #science · #chatgpt · #openai

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 15, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

A OpenAI estuda tomar medidas legais após o fracasso estrondoso da parceria com a Apple para integrar o ChatGPT nos dispositivos da Maçã, que não decolou como planejado e jogou por terra um acordo avaliado em bilhões. Segundo fontes internas, a gigante de Cupertino apostava alto na colaboração para turbinar a inteligência artificial em seus produtos, mas a aposta não só não trouxe os resultados esperados como pode ter violado cláusulas contratuais, colocando a OpenAI em alerta máximo.

O caso ganha contornos ainda mais relevantes no Brasil, onde a Apple tem expandido agressivamente sua base de usuários — especialmente entre consumidores de alta renda e empresas — e onde o ChatGPT já é uma ferramenta indispensável para milhões de profissionais e estudantes. A possível batalha judicial não só abalaria a confiança no ecossistema Apple, como também levantaria questões sobre a proteção de dados e a governança de IA em um mercado onde regulamentações ainda engatinham. Para os brasileiros, a disputa pode significar mudanças na forma como acessam assistentes virtuais, além de redefinir os termos de futuras parcerias tecnológicas no país.

Se confirmada, a ação judicial pode forçar ambas as empresas a reverem suas estratégias de IA para o mercado brasileiro, onde a concorrência com Google e Meta promete esquentar ainda mais.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

OpenAI valora emprender acciones legales tras el fracaso estrepitoso del acuerdo con Apple para integrar ChatGPT en sus dispositivos, una alianza que prometía ingresos millonarios y que ahora se desmorona. La compañía tecnológica estadounidense canceló unilateralmente el proyecto, dejando a OpenAI en una posición incómoda tras meses de negociaciones que generaron gran expectación en el sector.

El fiasco refleja no solo la fragilidad de los acuerdos entre gigantes tecnológicos, sino también los desafíos de monetizar la inteligencia artificial en un mercado cada vez más competitivo. Para los usuarios hispanohablantes, esto podría traducirse en menos innovaciones prácticas a corto plazo en dispositivos cotidianos, aunque el episodio subraya la necesidad de que las empresas revisen sus estrategias comerciales ante la volatilidad del sector. La posible batalla legal añade un nuevo capítulo a la ya tensa relación entre OpenAI y Apple, con repercusiones que podrían redefinir el panorama de la IA en los próximos años.