Apple Sues OpenAI, OpenAI Staff Fund New Super PAC, New York Enacts First Data Center Moratorium
This week, WIRED's podcast covers key developments: Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI over alleged hardware secrets theft, OpenAI staff launching a rival Super PAC for AI guardrails, New York's first statewide data center moratorium, DOGE's use of AI in housing policy, and the cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the company stole confidential hardware secrets, including unreleased iPhone parts and prototypes. The lawsuit specifically names OpenAI's chief hardware officer, Tang Tan, a former Apple employee of 24 years, accusing him of encouraging departing Apple employees to bring proprietary information. Analysts see the lawsuit as an attempt to slow OpenAI's hardware ambitions and protect the iPhone's dominance as the primary AI computing platform.
Meanwhile, a group of OpenAI employees has launched a new Super PAC called "Guardrails Alliance" to advocate for stronger AI regulations. This PAC is positioned as a counterweight to the $100 million "Leading the Future" fund backed by OpenAI executive Greg Brockman. The Guardrails Alliance launched with $5 million in initial funding, framing itself as a populist effort by tech workers, labor unions, and other groups.
New York's governor has signed the first statewide data center moratorium, drawing criticism from Donald Trump. This move could set a precedent for other states.
Additionally, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has used AI to shape housing policy but refuses to disclose details under FOIA requests.
Lastly, WIRED's Emily Mullin explains the cyclosporiasis outbreak spreading across more than 30 states, causing severe diarrhea.
