OpenAI has not been great at managing partnerships, says Big Technology's Kantrowitz

July 13, 2026 - 20:23

CNBC's Scott Wapner recently examined the escalating feud between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a conflict that flared up again on X after Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft. Joining the discussion was Alex Kantrowitz of Big Technology, who offered a blunt assessment of OpenAI's corporate behavior.

Kantrowitz argued that OpenAI has consistently struggled to maintain healthy partnerships. He pointed to the company's history of rocky relationships, from its early days as a non-profit to its current structure. The Apple lawsuit, he suggested, is just the latest example of a pattern where OpenAI's aggressive pursuit of commercial dominance strains its alliances. Kantrowitz noted that while OpenAI's technology is groundbreaking, its management style often alienates collaborators, creating friction that other tech giants manage to avoid.

The ongoing Musk-Altman rivalry adds another layer. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, has repeatedly criticized the company for straying from its original open-source mission. The Apple lawsuit, which accuses OpenAI of stealing trade secrets related to its Siri and AI teams, has only deepened the narrative that OpenAI prioritizes speed over trust. Kantrowitz concluded that until OpenAI learns to navigate partnerships with more care, these conflicts will likely continue, potentially slowing its long-term growth.