Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is collaborating with former Apple designer Jony Ive to develop a new artificial intelligence (AI) device, generating considerable excitement in the tech community. According to U.S. tech media outlets TechCrunch and MacRumors, Ive is working with Altman on an AI hardware project.
They are reportedly working on a device designed to run OpenAI’s ChatGPT, with Altman focusing on delivering a natural and intuitive user experience for AI interactions. Conversations about this AI device began last September and have since been reaffirmed. Ive noted that his initial introduction to Altman came through Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, highlighting the interconnectedness of influential figures in the tech industry.
U.S. media outlets reported that Altman and Ive shared ideas on how generative AI should be integrated into new computing devices.
Ive was a crucial figure in Apple’s rise to prominence and contributed to the advent of the smartphone era. He is recognized as a genius designer who created iconic products like the iPhone, iPod, and iPad alongside Steve Jobs during Apple’s golden age. After working as a consultant for Apple for several years, he departed in 2022.
For this AI project, Altman and Ive reportedly aim to raise $1 billion by year-end, with SoftBank Chairman Masayoshi Son initially expected to provide much of the funding. However, specific details about the device, including its design and release timeline, remain unconfirmed as anticipation builds for what this collaboration will yield.
Expectations are soaring, especially with Jony Ive—who designed Apple’s flagship devices like the iPhone—leading the development of this new AI device. Over 20 former Apple employees, including Tang Tan, the former Vice President responsible for the iPhone and Apple Watch design, have joined LoveFrom, the design startup Ive founded after leaving Apple in 2019. This collaboration hints at a blend of innovative design and cutting-edge technology, promising an exciting product for the market.
