Legendary British designer Sir Jony Ive, famed for his role in creating the Apple iPhone, is now joining forces with OpenAI, marking a significant step as the artificial intelligence (AI) company expands into hardware development. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, has announced its acquisition of a startup founded by Sir Jony, with the designer assuming “deep design and creative responsibilities” across the company.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, expressed the goal of the collaboration is to build a “family of devices” designed specifically with AI at their core. This move signals a major shift in the tech industry as companies, including Apple, face increasing pressure to integrate AI into their hardware offerings. The deal is particularly notable in the context of Apple’s slower adoption of AI in its devices, and it comes at a time when the tech world is searching for its next groundbreaking hardware innovation.
“I think we have the opportunity here to completely re-imagine what it means to use a computer,” Mr. Altman stated in a video message. Following the announcement, shares in Apple saw a decline of more than 2%.
Sir Jony, who spent over three decades at Apple, was instrumental in the creation of iconic products like the iPhone and iPod. He left the company in 2019 to launch his own design firm, LoveFrom, which has worked with high-profile brands such as Airbnb and Moncler.
What are your thoughts on the future of AI-driven hardware? Do you think this collaboration between OpenAI and Sir Jony Ive will set a new trend in the tech world? Share your views in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!
His latest venture, io, founded last year, emerged from a period of quiet collaboration between OpenAI and his company. According to the announcement, “It became clear that our ambitions to develop, engineer and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company.”
According to US media reports, OpenAI had previously held a 23% stake in the startup before the merger, which has now valued io at approximately $6.4 billion (£4.7 billion). Despite the acquisition, LoveFrom will remain independent. In the announcement video, Sir Jony emphasized his belief that the world is on the “brink of a new generation of technology.”
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OpenAI’s move into hardware follows its groundbreaking success with ChatGPT and further positions the company to challenge established tech giants, including Meta, Google, and Apple. These companies have been increasing their investments in hardware, particularly AI-driven products such as headsets and smart glasses, recognizing the growing opportunities in this sector.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the latest available reports and announcements. However, please note that developments in the tech industry can evolve rapidly. We encourage readers to check official sources for real-time updates.
