Key Takeaways:
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has confirmed the company’s first hardware prototypes, developed with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, are now complete.
- Ive anticipates that the new AI-powered device will be officially revealed to the public in two years or less.
- Altman described the goal for the hardware is to create a calmer, more focused user experience, contrasting with the “Times Square” feel of modern smartphones.
- The project follows OpenAI’s $6.4 billion acquisition of Ive’s design startup, io, earlier this year.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the artificial intelligence leader has completed its first hardware prototypes, a significant step in its collaboration with celebrated former Apple designer Jony Ive. The news signals a new frontier for the company, moving beyond software into the competitive world of consumer electronics.
The announcement came during an on-stage discussion with Ive and Laurene Powell Jobs, founder of Emerson Collective, which was shared in a video online. “Finally, we have the first prototypes,” Altman said. “I can’t believe how jaw dropping good the work is and how exciting it is.”
[Embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkCe6gpNutU]
A New Vision for Personal Devices
While Altman remained tight-lipped about the device’s specific form, he offered a clear vision for its user experience. He contrasted the intended “vibe” with the constant notifications and attention-grabbing nature of smartphones, which he likened to “walking through Times Square.”
Instead, OpenAI’s device aims for a more serene interaction. “You can then go for a vibe that is… like, sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and sort of just enjoying the peace and calm,” Altman explained.
He added that a truly smart AI device should be able to work for the user over extended periods, intelligently filtering information and only interrupting when something is genuinely important. The ultimate goal, he noted, is a device that can “know everything you’ve ever thought about, read, said.”
Jony Ive Sets a Two-Year Timeline
Jony Ive, the design mind behind iconic Apple products like the iPhone and iMac, shed light on the project’s timeline. He stated that he expects to reveal the device in “two years or less,” while acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of developing new hardware from scratch.
“Especially in large companies that value predictability, leaders get really uncomfortable with ambiguity,” Ive commented on the development process. The hardware initiative officially kicked off after OpenAI acquired Ive’s startup, io, for $6.4 billion in May.
Shaking Up the Tech Landscape
OpenAI’s entry into hardware is being closely monitored across the tech industry. Giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta have already released AI-focused gadgets like smart glasses and speakers, but none have successfully reshaped the market.
A major launch from the company behind ChatGPT could break the stalemate. A successful product could pose a direct threat to Apple’s dominance, particularly as the iPhone maker has faced delays in rolling out significant AI upgrades for its Siri voice assistant. While OpenAI recently announced a manufacturing partnership with Foxconn, the companies specified the deal is currently focused on building AI infrastructure, not consumer devices.