Jony Ive and Sam Altman Discuss New AI Hardware Project

Former Apple design guru Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are reportedly in talks to create a new artificial intelligence (AI) hardware device, as reported by The Information, citing sources familiar with the matter.

While the exact nature and purpose of this mysterious hardware remain undisclosed, Ive and Altman, known to be friends, have been brainstorming about what innovative hardware for the AI era could look like. The report did not clarify whether this device would be developed by OpenAI, a third-party manufacturer, or if it would be created at all.

Altman is no stranger to collaborating with former Apple designers on hardware ventures and has previously worked with Thomas Meyerhoffer on the Orb, a spherical retina-scanning device developed for Altman's Worldcoin crypto project. Altman also co-founded Tools for Humanity, which oversaw the Orb project.

The report also mentioned that SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has been involved in discussions, aiming to position SoftBank as a key player in the AI revolution. However, whether he will continue to be part of the venture remains uncertain.

Altman has also invested significantly in Humane, a startup that aims to create a wearable AI device designed to replace traditional smartphones. Humane is working with OpenAI to integrate AI technology into this innovative device.

Meanwhile, Jony Ive's legacy includes over two decades at Apple, where he played a pivotal role in designing iconic products such as the iMac and the iPhone. After his departure from Apple, Ive co-founded LoveFrom, a creative collective working with notable clients like Airbnb and Ferrari.