OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design legend Jony Ive are teaming up to create a groundbreaking AI device. This “AI device” promises to change how people interact with technology, moving beyond phones and screens to something entirely new.
OpenAI plans to produce 100 million of these smart companions faster than any tech product in history.
What’s the Big Deal?
This AI device isn’t a phone or wearable. Instead, it’s meant to sit quietly in your environment—maybe next to your MacBook or iPhone—and offer smart, helpful information without needing a screen or keyboard.
It will understand your surroundings and deliver context without interrupting your flow. The goal? To make AI a natural presence in your life, not just a tool you open on your phone.
Sam Altman told his team this project is “the biggest thing we’ve ever done.” And with Jony Ive’s sleek design sense onboard—he helped design the iPhone and MacBook—this device aims to be both beautiful and deeply useful.
Why Not Just Use Your Phone?
Here’s the kicker: Altman wants OpenAI to “own the interface.” Right now, most AI tools live inside apps on Apple’s iPhones or Google’s Android phones. OpenAI’s device would bypass that, creating a new way for AI to connect with people directly. This means no more waiting for app updates or browser limitations.
To make this vision real, OpenAI is buying Ive’s design startup, LoveFrom io, for $6.5 billion. Ive says working with OpenAI feels like the first time since Steve Jobs that he’s been this creatively inspired.
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Fast and Ambitious Launch
OpenAI plans to launch the device by late 2025 and expects to sell 100 million units quickly. At first, it won’t ship millions of units on day one, but the company wants to scale fast. They’re considering a subscription model—if you subscribe to ChatGPT, you might just get a new AI device automatically.
This is a risky move. Hardware is expensive and hard to get right. Other startups like Humane, which also aimed to build AI devices, have struggled to attract customers. Plus, OpenAI itself expects to lose billions before making a profit.
If this AI device works, it could start a new tech era—much like how the iPhone did for smartphones. Imagine a world where AI is always there, smartly helping without stealing your attention or needing you to pull out your phone. That’s the promise here.
It’s a bold bet. And if OpenAI and Ive pull it off, the way we live with technology could change forever.
Also Read OpenAI x Jony Ive: The $6.5 Billion Bet to Bring AI to Your Pocket (and Maybe Your Paycheck)
