OpenAI is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Apple, which accuses the artificial intelligence firm of stealing trade secrets. In response, OpenAI claims the iPhone maker's allegations are baseless.

Attorneys for OpenAI argue that Apple's lawsuit misrepresents the conduct of its employees. The lawyers state that the ChatGPT developer's chief hardware officer fully adhered to standard industry recruitment practices when interviewing Apple staff. Additionally, they contend that an employee accused of stealing trade secrets was actually assisting a former colleague at Apple.

"Apple's lawsuit is clearly filed without sufficient investigation and is based on out-of-context communications and ordinary actions taken out of context," OpenAI stated in court documents filed Wednesday evening. "Apple should not be allowed to use baseless and far-fetched litigation to compensate for its shortcomings in the talent market."

In the filing, OpenAI also criticized Apple for its slow progress in integrating artificial intelligence into its products. It noted that in many of the cases cited by Apple, former employees were actually providing assistance at Apple's request to ensure the continuity of their previous teams' work after their departure.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. OpenAI has been providing key technology for the Apple Intelligence platform and the Siri digital assistant. However, the relationship between the two companies has deteriorated over the past year, particularly after OpenAI hired former Apple design chief Jony Ive to work on hardware development.

According to Apple's complaint, OpenAI has poached more than 400 employees from Apple. Recommended reading: Apple lawsuit becomes a hurdle; OpenAI's ambition to challenge the iPhone may face obstacles. Apple is asking the judge to immediately prohibit OpenAI from using its trade secrets.

Under the court schedule, OpenAI must formally respond by August 17 to Apple's request for a preliminary injunction. The judge has scheduled a hearing on the motion for October 1.