Edith Hejberg
He says the bias is so blatant that he’s prepared to take legal action, accusing Apple of breaking antitrust laws.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has lashed out at Apple, claiming the tech giant is unfairly favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT over his own AI product, Grok, in App Store search results.
Grok’s Rapid Climb in the App Store
Musk’s AI platform has seen a dramatic boost in visibility since the release of Grok 4 and its creative tool, Grok Imagine.
Once buried in 60th place overall, Grok now sits at 29th, and has soared to fifth in the Productivity apps category, a sharp rise that Musk believes proves its growing appeal.
ChatGPT Still Reigns Supreme
Despite Grok’s progress, ChatGPT continues to dominate App Store rankings, holding or hovering near the top spot for years.
Its established presence and brand recognition keep it a household name in the AI space, a position Musk feels is being protected by Apple’s policies.
Apple–OpenAI Partnership Under Scrutiny
Fueling Musk’s complaint is the strategic partnership between Apple and OpenAI. Through this deal, ChatGPT is integrated into iPhones and other Apple devices, enabling it to handle a wide range of tasks directly from Apple’s ecosystem.
Musk argues this close relationship tilts the playing field.
Antitrust Allegations in the Spotlight
Musk’s accusation is not just about rankings, it’s about the rules of competition. By giving preferential treatment to an AI it has partnered with, Apple, he claims, is engaging in anti-competitive behavior.
Such a move could potentially draw the attention of regulators if Musk follows through with his lawsuit threat.
What’s Next for the AI Rivalry?
While Grok gains ground and ChatGPT holds the lead, the battle for dominance in mobile AI shows no sign of cooling.
Musk’s legal threats add another layer of tension, and if a lawsuit materializes, it could set a precedent for how tech giants manage rival products in their ecosystems.
