Elon Musk is once again heading to court this time taking on Apple and OpenAI. Musk’s AI startup, xAI, has filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging that Apple and OpenAI have colluded to restrict competition and marginalise his AI product, Grok, within the App Store ecosystem.
The lawsuit
The complaint accuses Apple and OpenAI of unfairly manipulating App Store classifications to disadvantage Grok while favouring their own products and partnerships. According to Musk, this represents a serious abuse of market dominance, one that undermines innovation and competition in the rapidly growing field of generative AI.
Apple responded firmly, stating that the App Store remains “fair and free from bias”, while OpenAI dismissed Musk’s claims as mere “harassment.”
More than a billionaire feud
While the case might appear on the surface as another dramatic clash among tech billionaires, analysts warn that it carries significant implications for the future of AI. At stake is not just corporate rivalry, but control over how artificial intelligence reaches billions of smartphone users worldwide.
If Musk prevails, the lawsuit could reshape the balance of power in the AI sector, forcing greater transparency in how digital marketplaces rank and approve apps.
The bigger picture
The legal showdown underscores a broader reality: AI is becoming the new battleground for Big Tech dominance. Whoever controls distribution channels like the App Store will wield immense influence over what applications people use, test, and ultimately trust.
For Musk, this lawsuit is as much about defending competition as it is about securing xAI’s future in a market already dominated by a handful of giants. For Apple and OpenAI, the challenge lies in proving that their practices are legally sound and innovation-friendly.
