iPhone Designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Collaborate on Mysterious AI Device

iPhone Designer Jony Ive and OpenAI's Sam Altman Reportedly Working on a Top-Secret AI Device

Sam Altman, the CEO of the company behind ChatGPT and Dall-E, is reportedly working on a top-secret artificial intelligence computing project with former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Ive, who designed the iPhone and iPad, among other Apple products, is teaming up with Altman, CEO of OpenAI, to create a new AI-powered computing device that aims to be "less socially disruptive than the iPhone," according to The New York Times. Few details are known about the AI device, but Ive and Altman have already raised funding for the project from investors including Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, the report said. Funding reportedly could be up to $1 billion by the end of the year. Ive's design firm LoveFrom, which he co-founded after leaving Apple five years ago, is behind the development of the AI-powered device. The company -- which was co-founded by Mark Newson, a well-known luxury designer who worked on the Apple Watch -- employs other former Apple executives, including Tang Tan, who oversaw iPhone development. LoveFrom works with clients such as Airbnb and Ferrari. Newson told the Times that "what the product would be and when it would be released were still being determined." The partnership started over a number of dinners when Ive and Altman discussed the power of generative AI and its potential for computing devices, the report said. The concept of an AI-powered device follows the introduction this year of a handful of devices that have yet to take off. The $700 Humane AI pin -- which turns surface areas, including your hand, into a mobile screen -- was met with mixed reviews, and people are reportedly returning the product in high numbers. The $199 Rabbit R1 handheld device, which uses AI to complete tasks, also fell short of expectations. Meanwhile, companies including Google and Samsung have been adding generative AI capabilities to their phone lineups. Just last week, Apple's new iPhone 16 devices went on sale, with the company's Apple Intelligence features set to begin arriving on them in the coming weeks and months. But at a time when we're so heavily distracted by mobile devices, one that offers a more mindful, less distracting experience could be appealing for consumers. Neither LoveFrom nor OpenAI immediately responded to a request for comment.

Apple iPhone designer Jony Ive working with OpenAI's Sam Altman on new AI hardware device

Former Apple exec and design veteran Jony Ive has confirmed that he is working with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on an AI hardware venture. The news was a part of Ive's interview with The New York Times, a year after the collaboration was first reported. While Ive didn't give out many details, the report said that the project could raise $1 billion in funding by this year-end with Ive himself and Laurene Powell Jobs' Emerson Collective reportedly investing. According to the story, Ive ended up meeting Altman through Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb. Ex-Apple designer Ive, OpenAI's Altman discuss AI hardware: Report Ive's firm LoveFrom will be looking after the design and described the goal of the venture as "a product that uses A.I. to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone." The report mentioned how Ive and Altman wanted to use generative AI to build a new computing device since it could do more for users than traditional software. Currently, the project has just 10 employees working on it including people like Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, both of whom had previously worked with Ive on the iPhone design. Published - September 25, 2024 10:16 am IST Read Comments

Meet iPhone designer Jony Ive who is working on AI device with Sam Altman

Read more: OpenAI's Sam Altman says doing psychedelics in Mexico changed his life: 'Made me calm' A team of only 10 employees, including former Apple designers Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, who worked closely with Jony Ive on the iPhone, are working on the project which Ive's design firm LoveFrom is leading. The team is currently operating from a 32,000-square-foot office in San Francisco which part of a $90 million real estate investment by Jony Ive in a single city block. Jony Ive and Sam Altman have reportedly discussed how generative AI could revolutionise computing and LoveFrom co-founder Marc Newson told the New York Times that the AI product and its release timeline are still in development, which indicated that the project is in its early stages. The report also claimed that Jony Ive and Sam Altman discussed "how generative AI made it possible to create a new computing device because the technology could do more for users than traditional software" due to its ability to handle complicated requests.

iPhone Designer Jony Ive Working With OpenAI For New AI Hardware: What Could It Be? - News18

OpenAI is working on new ChatGPT versions but Altman needs a hardware product to entice more people to invest in their future. It's official, the chief designer behind many iPhones is now working with Sam Altman's OpenAI for a new AI hardware product. We're talking about the legendary Jony Ive who has been part of Steve Jobs' design team for years and introduced a wide range of products for a long time. Now, he is going to enter the new AI era with a hardware that could have design traits that Ive is known for in the industry. The update about Ive's association with OpenAI has been confirmed via The New York Times report. Ive has even got a few people from his ex-iPhone design team to work the rumoured AI hardware which is likely to get a touch screen and somewhat inspired by the iPhone which wouldn't be shocking at all. We've already seen a few AI-centric devices launch in the market and struggle to show a real use case for them. The likes of Rabbit and Humane AI have indicated the rough edges that need to be worked on before a high-priced hardware is offered to the consumers. Altman and Co. have ambitions beyond ChatGPT and a hardware product could be its first big move in the mainstream arena. Ive has a solid track record with designs but the functionality of the product is dependent on how the design team at OpenAI work out the right model. He has a team of 10 employees working on the product and we're eager to see how it shapes up in the near future. OpenAI is busy developing the new ChatGPT versions, roll out the voice mode and continue with its focus on ChatGPT 5 which is expected soon. But the company's high valuation means the investors will eventually seek a return on their money and more avenues are needed to make that happen.