Elon Musk Accuses Apple of Favoritism in AI App Store Battle

In a recent development, the founder of xAI and SpaceX has accused Apple of favoring OpenAI in its App Store, sparking a potential antitrust lawsuit. The billionaire entrepreneur, known for his outspoken nature, took to his social media platform to criticize Apple's alleged bias, stating that the tech giant's actions are in violation of antitrust laws. This move comes as part of an ongoing rivalry between the two companies, with xAI and OpenAI both vying for dominance in the AI market.

The founder's accusations center around Apple's App Store, where OpenAI's ChatGPT is currently the top-ranked free app. The founder claims that Apple's preferential treatment of OpenAI makes it impossible for any other AI application to reach the top of the charts. This is a significant issue for AI developers, as the App Store's top spot is a highly coveted position that can lead to increased visibility and downloads.

The founder's allegations come at a time when the AI industry is experiencing rapid growth and competition. OpenAI recently launched its highly anticipated GPT-5 model, which has been met with widespread acclaim. The model is available for free to all users, with additional features available to Plus and Pro members. In response, xAI also announced the release of its Grok 4 model, which is available for free with certain usage limits.

The rivalry between the founder and OpenAI's CEO has been well-documented, with the two having a history of disagreements dating back to their time working together at OpenAI. The founder has accused OpenAI of deviating from its non-profit mission and prioritizing profits over the well-being of humanity. In response, OpenAI's CEO has accused the founder of using his social media platform to further his personal interests.

This latest development in the AI war is just the beginning, as both companies continue to compete for market share and dominance in the industry. The outcome of this rivalry remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the AI industry is heating up, and the competition is only going to get more intense. The founder's accusations against Apple and the potential antitrust lawsuit could have significant implications for the industry, as regulators and lawmakers take a closer look at the practices of tech giants and their impact on competition and innovation.