A Malaysian-born tech executive who spent nearly 25 years helping shape some of Apple’s most iconic products has found himself at the centre of one of the biggest legal battles in the artificial intelligence industry.
Tang Yew Tan, a low-profile but highly respected engineer from Klang, Selangor, is among the individuals named in Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI, which accuses the AI company of gaining access to confidential information through former Apple employees.
The lawsuit has brought renewed attention to Tan’s career, highlighting the journey of a Malaysian talent who rose through the ranks of Silicon Valley and played a key role in the development of products used by millions around the world.
From Klang to Apple vice president
Tan spent 24 years at Apple, where he became a key figure in the company’s product development efforts.
During his time at the tech giant, he worked on some of Apple’s most recognisable devices, including the iPhone and Apple Watch. His long career at Apple eventually saw him rise to the position of vice president of design, overseeing important aspects of hardware design and product development.
Despite his senior role at one of the world’s most valuable companies, Tan has remained largely out of the public spotlight compared with other Apple executives.
Named in Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI
Apple’s lawsuit, filed in a US federal court, accuses OpenAI of engaging in a “pattern of theft” involving Apple’s confidential product information and related work.
The company has also named OpenAI-owned io Products, a hardware startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, as well as Tan and another former Apple employee, Chang Liu, as defendants.
Apple alleges that former employees with access to sensitive projects, manufacturing methods, partner relationships and unreleased products helped OpenAI gain insights into its plans as the AI company expands into consumer hardware.
The lawsuit claims Tan’s previous position at Apple gave him access to highly confidential information before he joined OpenAI as its chief hardware officer.
Apple and OpenAI’s changing relationship
The legal battle marks a major shift between two companies that had previously worked together.
Apple had integrated ChatGPT into its devices as part of its push to introduce more artificial intelligence features. However, the company has since moved more AI capabilities towards Google’s Gemini models and tools.
OpenAI has denied the allegations, saying it has no interest in other companies’ trade secrets.
“We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets,” OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said, adding that the company is reviewing Apple’s complaint.
A career shift that led to a major legal battle
For many Malaysians, Tan’s involvement has brought attention to a homegrown talent who built a successful career at the heart of the global technology industry.
From Klang, Selangor, to Apple’s headquarters in Silicon Valley, Tan’s career reflects the path of a Malaysian engineer who helped create some of the world’s most influential consumer technology products.
The lawsuit is now set to determine whether Apple’s allegations have merit, while Tan’s name remains linked to a major dispute that could shape the future of AI-powered hardware.
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