400+ ex-Apple employees now at OpenAI
Over 400 former Apple employees have moved to OpenAI, reflecting a massive talent migration that is at the heart of the Apple vs. OpenAI IP lawsuit.
Snapshot · Nerd Snipe with Theo and Ben
5 different models dropped last week & the GPT-5.6 usage limits are brutal
Explore episode
Jul 14, 2026
Where this was said
Apple vs. OpenAI: The Hardware Chief Who Kept His Access
At 45:25 · chapter starts 41:30
What Theo initially dismissed as a standard poaching dispute turns out to be something far more dramatic once he reads the full lawsuit. The main defendant isn't a mid-level engineer — it's Peng Tang, the hardware chief exec who reported directly to new Apple CEO Jeff Ternus and co-founded IO, Jony Ive's hardware startup connected to OpenAI's device ambitions. Tang allegedly not only brought 40 Apple colleagues to OpenAI but continued accessing Apple's shared folder with confidential files on unreleased products, including smart glasses work, and apparently bragged about it to remaining Apple employees. Both hosts note with dark humor that tech executives are remarkably bad at white-collar crime — don't brag about your illegal file access. The broader context is significant: over 400 former Apple employees are now at OpenAI, and Apple's cult-like retention culture makes this level of talent migration feel like an existential threat.
Apple vs. OpenAI: The Hardware Chief Who Kept His Access
Apple's hardware chief exec Peng Tang left for OpenAI and brought 40 colleagues with him. Then he allegedly kept accessing Apple's confidential files on unreleased products and bragged about it. This isn't a standard trade secret case — it's one of Ternus's right-hand men.
Peng Tang brought 40 Apple employees to OpenAI
Apple's hardware chief exec Peng Tang was poached by OpenAI and reportedly brought 40 colleagues with him, and is alleged to have continued accessing Apple's confidential files after leaving.
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