Jony Ive and OpenAI Collaborate on Groundbreaking AI Hardware Device

Jony Ive confirms new AI-powered device in the works with OpenAI's...

Former Apple design guru Jony Ive has confirmed that he's working with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to build an AI-powered hardware device - roughly one year after rumors about the high-profile collaboration first went public. The still-quiet project surfaced in a new profile of Ive, who is best known for working with late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on many of company's most iconic product designs, including the iPhone. Ive founded the design firm LoveFrom in 2019 after leaving Apple. During a meeting at the Michelin-starred San Francisco restaurant Spruce last year, Ive and Altman discussed "how generative A.I. made it possible to create a new computing device," according to the New York Times, which interviewed Ive for the article. Details on the device itself remain scant, though Ive and Altman reportedly discussed how it would be able to perform advanced tasks, such as booking travel or identifying a specific plant from a photo, that exceeded the capabilities of traditional smartphones. The Times said early concepts for the device call for an AI-centric device that is "less socially disruptive than the iPhone," though it remains unclear if it will be a rival smartphone or tablet. The initial meeting between Ive and Altman was reportedly brokered by Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, who has hired LoveFrom to handle some design work for his rental booking platform. Chesky is known to be a close friend of Altman. After several more meetings, Ive and Altman reportedly decided to pursue the project, with LoveFrom coming aboard to design the device and OpenAI providing the software. The project has already raised money from Ive himself as well as Jobs' widow Laurene Powell Jobs, a prominent venture capitalist who invested through her company Emerson Collective, according to The Times. In total, the startup could raise up to $1 billion from unnamed "tech investors" by the end of the year, the newspaper said, though it's unclear who else may be involved. Ive has reportedly hired about 10 employees and spent $60 million on office space in a space neighboring LoveFrom's headquarters in San Francisco. OpenAI did not immediately return a request for comment. Initial hires include Tang Tan, a former Apple executive who led the teams responsible for designing the iPhone and Apple Watch before being poached last December, and Evans Hankey, who succeeded Ive as Apple's top designer before leaving in 2023. The Ive-Altman project was first reported by The Information in September 2023. At the time, the outlet reported that Japanese investment firm SoftBank and its famous chief Masayoshi Son had participated in early talks. The profile revealed other details about the reclusive Ive's recent activities, including the revelation that he has purchased roughly half a city block's worth of real estate in the Jackson Square area of downtown San Francisco. Ive has reportedly spent nearly $90 million of his personal fortune on the real estate deals since 2020. The tech executive told The Times that he was planning the area as a hub to attract creatives in San Francisco after many left the city during the COVID-19 pandemic. A major renovation for the buildings is set to be completed late next year. The headquarters of LoveFrom and the still-unnamed AI hardware startup are located in buildings he purchased. Ive is also said to be planning a storefront to sell LoveFrom-designed products, including jackets and notebooks.

OpenAI Is Developing a Hardware Device With Ex-Apple Designer Jony Ive

Jony Ive (Credit: Jeff Spicer/BFC / Contributor / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images) Apple's former chief design officer is working with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on AI hardware. Jony Ive confirmed the partnership in an interview with The New York Times, which describes the device as an AI "computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone." He was otherwise light on details, including a timeline for release. Rumors of the project date back to September 2023, when The Financial Times first reported on efforts to raise $1 billion for the device. It could be OpenAI's splashiest consumer product since ChatGPT, though two similar-sounding projects have launched and crashed. The $699 Humane AI Pin, also from two former Apple execs, debuted in February with the promise of freeing us from our iPhones. By May, lackluster reviews had the company looking to sell. The $199 Rabbit R1 launched in May as well, also with the promise of replacing cell phones for certain functions. It, too, under-performed for early testers, earning a two-star review from PCMag for its limited features, inaccuracies, and non-intuitive design. Ive, 57, worked at Apple for 27 years and is credited for the brand's minimalist aesthetic. Since leaving Apple, he's purchased $90 million worth of real estate on a city block in San Francisco, part of which will serve as the headquarters for the company overseeing the AI device, the Times reports. Ive's LoveFrom firm will also take the lead on design. Ive has hired 10 employees for the project, including former Apple co-workers Tang Tan, who oversaw iPhone product development, and Evans Hankey, who succeeded Ive as head of design at Apple before leaving in 2022. Ive met Altman through Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, an early client of Ive's design firm LoveFrom, the Times says. Chesky arranged a dinner between them at a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco, where they talked of creating a device that could "could do more for users than traditional software since it could summarize and prioritize messages, identify and name objects like plants and eventually field complex requests like booking travel." Hopefully, it'll be cheaper than the $60,000 record player LoveFrom designed for British audio company Linn last year.

Jony Ive and Sam Altman working on an AI hardware device -- here's what we know

Jony Ive, the famed designer behind Apple's most iconic products is working with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on a new AI hardware project. The exact details are unclear but it's a bold move to enter a space that has completely failed to find a hit product so far. There has been speculation over a potential partnership between the pair for some time, with Ive finally confirming the project in a New York Times profile. Very little is known about the actual product but the project has already been given initial funding from Ive himself, as well as a group run by Steve Jobs's widow, Laurene Powell Jobs. There is also rumor of $1 billion in funding from SoftBank. According to The Verge there are already 10 employees working on bringing the new product to life, including two designers that worked with Ive on the iPhone. The confirmation comes as Apple goes "all in" on AI with Apple Intelligence and Apple Visual Intelligence deeply integrated into the iPhone 16, MacBook and iPad. I've also previously speculated that the Apple Watch could be a perfect AI device. It isn't clear how much of this will be driven by Altman and how much by Ive but Ive's company is leading the design effort. It is said to have stemmed from a discussion between the pair on finding hardware that better utilized the capabilities of AI. According to the Times, they discussed the value of AI being able to "summarize and prioritize messages, identify and name objects like plants and eventually field complex requests like booking travel." All of which can be done on any modern smartphone with AI enabled. The product is being developed in secret, to the same level that used to be the case with Apple products under Steve Jobs. All we know is that it will be a computing experience "less socially disruptive than the iPhone". This suggests it will be a form of 'hidden technology' that works in the background without the need for constant interaction. We've seen some hints at this with the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, and it is what Humane attempted with the Pin. I asked Claude to describe an AI device designed by Jony Ive, powered by OpenAI models and not as intrusive as a smartphone. It gave me a ball. Declaring it: "OpenAI Orb: a revolutionary AI assistant" capable of "delivering unparalleled intelligence in an elegantly spherical form that seamlessly integrates into your life and space." So far, everything I've heard about it sounds like what Rabbit attempted with the r1. A simple device that handles everyday computing without a traditional interface. But maybe, with significant investment, OpenAI's models, and Jony Ive -- it might work.

Former Apple designer Jony Ive is working on new hardware with OpenAI

The eye behind some of Apple's most iconic designs is turning his attention towards a new device. One of the biggest voices behind the look and feel of Apple's most iconic devices has some new hardware in the works. In a New York Times profile about Jony Ive's time post-Apple, the famed designer mentions that he is turning one of his buildings into a headquarters for "a new, artificial intelligence device company that he is developing with OpenAI." Also: The iPhone 16 is the most-repairable iPhone yet, according to iFixit We know very little about the device, but The Verge confirmed that the company Ive is running with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has 10 employees so far, and two key members of the team helped develop the iPhone with Ive. Ive was one of the leading voices behind the look and feel of not just the iPhone, but a list of industry-changing devices like the original iMac, the iPod, the iMac G4, the MacBook Air, the iPad, and the Apple Watch. He even oversaw the construction of Apple Park, the company's iconic California headquarters. Also: iPhone 16 Pro users are reporting glitches with the touch screen - here's the problem Calling the latest project "a new computing device," Ive noted how generative AI (gen AI) has made it possible to "do more for users than traditional software since it could summarize and prioritize messages, identify and name objects like plants and eventually field complex requests like booking travel." That sounds similar to the Rabbit R1, an AI-powered assistant intended to supplement your phone or an AI-powered Alexa. With Apple packing the latest iPhone series with AI and Google doing the same with the latest Pixel lineup though, you have to wonder if there's space for an AI device that's not a phone. Ive did add that his new product would be "less socially disruptive than the iPhone." Ive and Altman seem to believe there's a better way to build an AI device though, and whatever this new product is, people are excited. The NYT reported that the new company could potentially raise up to $1 billion in start-up funding by the end of this year.

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

Samantha Kelly is a freelance writer with a focus on consumer technology, AI, social media, Big Tech, emerging trends and how they impact our everyday lives. Her work has been featured on CNN, NBC, NPR, the BBC, Mashable and more. Former Apple design chief Jony Ive and OpenAI's Sam Altman are working on a top secret AI computing project Apple's former design chief Jony Ive is teaming up with OpenAI's Sam Altman 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 device but Ive and Altman have already raised funding for the project from investors including late Apple co-founder Steve Job's wife Laurene Powell Jobs, the report said. Funding could be up to $1 billion by the end of the year. Ive's design firm LoveForm, which was founded after he left 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. LoveForm works with clients such as Airbnb and Ferrari. Newson told the Times "what the product would be and when it would be released were still being determined." The partnership started over dinner -- and subsequent dinners -- when Ive and Altman discussed the power of generative AI and its potential for computing devices, the report said. The concept of launching an AI-powered hardware device follows a handful of similar computing devices that have yet to take off. Humane's $700 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. Meanwhile, the $199 Rabbit R1 handheld device that uses AI to complete tasks also fell short of expectations. 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.

Jony Ive confirms he is working on an OpenAI hardware design project

Device should be less socially disruptive than a smartphone. Jony Ive has, for the first time, confirmed he is working with OpenAI on a new mobile hardware product. The famed former chief design officer at Apple has been notoriously tight-lipped about ongoing projects at his new LoveFrom agency, so it is good to hear that he is again hoping to contribute his design flair to the world of tech. While Ive's profile piece in The New York Times is quite lengthy, and the result of a two-day interview process, details about the OpenAI device remain very thin on the ground. We aren't surprised that this particular product design collaboration has come about. This time last year it emerged that Ive and OpenAI's Sam Altman were having conversations about creating hardware for artificial intelligence. At the time, unnamed sources also indicated that SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son had also been involved in the talks. With Ive's history, one may feel confident in expecting that the LoveFrom and OpenAI collaboration will involve a consumer-focused device. The NYT report hints as much too, revealing that Ive and Altman talked about what advanced AI could bring to messaging, visual intelligence, and the understanding of complex requests by end-users. After several dinner meetings, the pair agreed to forge ahead by building a product with LoveFrom leading the design process. To get the ball rolling money has been raised privately to champion the new AI product and brand. The NYT says that the fledgling firm may seek up to $1 billion in startup funding from tech investors before 2024 is out. All we know for now is that the big idea is to create "a product that uses AI to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone." Sadly, the source report doesn't go any further into the details of the device. This is understandable, as rivals are still struggling with a killer app for AI, and we have seen several high-profile dedicated AI device misfires like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1. The new AI product firm will want to keep its cards close to its chest and have as long a period with the first-mover-advantage as possible. For now, we will have to wait and see what Ive and Altman have brewing. Hopefully, we won't get another Ai hardware flop, and they can create something with true, broad appeal that works as intended. More details may be forthcoming before the end of the year, as the team behind the device will need bait to attract big investment.

Jony Ive's OpenAI hardware device could be his next world-changing design

The former design lead at Apple has teamed up with Sam Altman's artificial intelligence company. He brought Apple's hardware design to new heights -- could Jony Ive do the same for the burgeoning market for AI-focussed hardware? That's the hope for Ive's next project, which will see the veteran designer team up with ChatGPT developer OpenAI for a new hardware device leveraging the company's fast-growing artificial intelligence products. The partnership -- rumored earlier this year -- has now been confirmed in a New York Times profile which explores Ive's post-Apple independence, including discussions with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The pair have agreed to partner on a new "artificial intelligence device company" for a product "that uses AI to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone," according to the article. Not that Apple itself is averse to AI integrations -- the latest iOS 18 release is set to get an update that will include baked-in access to ChatGPT and OpenAI tech. But iPhones, including the brand new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, still make use of AI as a feature rather than a product unto itself, and that will be the differentiating factor for this new device. OpenAI will be at the core. What industrial design form that will take is "still being determined", but Ive's team has exemplary pedigree -- some of his new crew worked alongside him on iPhone designs over the years. Ive's project won't be the first to try to make a bespoke, built-for-purpose AI hardware design. But early forays into the market have been mixed at best. The Rabbit R1 released earlier this year, and charmed with its cutesy phone-like design. But its actual usefulness, swapping out traditional apps for generative AI responses, proved clunky. Likewise, the Humane AI pin launched to great hype, but soon fell flat of the limitations its wearable form factor presented. But if anyone can create an AI device form factor that actually works, it's Ive. His meticulous attention to detail has been hugely influential in the world of tech, revolutionizing computing device design. If his focus was ever in question, take this secondary snippet from the article: he's just spent five years working on a book about the history of buttons.

Jony Ive joins forces with OpenAI on AI hardware project

Jony Ive has teamed up with OpenAI to develop a cutting-edge artificial intelligence device, marking a significant expansion of his post-Apple ventures. The partnership emerged from discussions between Ive, the former head of design at Apple, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, facilitated by Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb. This project aims to create a new computing experience that prioritises user interaction and minimises social disruption. Ive, who gained fame for his minimalist design philosophy and iconic products like the iPhone, is shifting his focus to hardware that leverages generative AI capabilities. The device is expected to integrate advanced AI functions, such as summarising information, recognising objects, and managing complex tasks. After leaving Apple in 2019, Jony Ive embarked on a new journey by founding his design firm, LoveFrom. Initially, he operated largely in the shadows, focusing on high-profile projects and collaborations while developing a minimalist brand identity. Ive's work spanned various industries, including fashion, automotive, and architecture, as he sought to explore creative avenues beyond consumer electronics. He also engaged in real estate during pandemic. This new venture marks a significant chapter in his career, allowing him to leverage his design expertise in new ways.

Apple iPhone designer Jony Ive confirms working with OpenAI

Though the plans for the exact form factor that LoveFrom is working on is unclear, speculations around a home device like an Alexa Mini, or something similar to Humane Ai are floating around. Jony Ive, Apple's former design chief, has confirmed his collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on a secretive AI hardware project. This partnership has been in the works for about a year and aims to create a device that uses generative AI to handle complex user interactions more efficiently than traditional software. Ive's design firm, LoveFrom, is spearheading the development, and the project has secured funding from the Emerson Collective, led by Laurene Powell Jobs. The team currently includes several key figures from Ive's past work on Apple products like the iPhone. Although the specifics of the device are still under wraps, the goal is to create an innovative AI product that could redefine user interactions with technology. The design is being developed in a newly acquired office space in San Francisco, with potential for significant funding by the end of 2024. Earlier there has been speculation on this partnership on how Altman and Ive are collaborating to build a device described as the "iPhone of artificial intelligence." This collaboration seeks to blend AI tech with intuitive design, aiming for a product that is both highly functional and visually appealing. Though the plans for the exact form factor that LoveFrom is working on is unclear, speculations around a home device like an Alexa Mini, or something similar to Humane Ai are floating around. OpenAI's technology and Ive's hardware design prowess are bound to make something beautiful happen. All About LoveFrom Founded in 2019 by Ive and his long-time collaborator Marc Newson, LoveFrom is based in San Francisco and London, bringing together a diverse group of designers, architects, musicians, filmmakers, writers, engineers, and artists. LoveFrom has successfully gathered a notable clientele, including prominent names like Airbnb Inc., Ferrari NV, and Moncler SpA. Additionally, the company had a three-year consulting deal with Apple, which concluded in 2022. Remarkably, over 20 former Apple employees are now part of LoveFrom's team. This is not the first time Altman has shown interest in venturing into hardware. In 2020, he invested in a startup called Humane Inc., which aimed to create products for the generative AI era. Altman invested $30 million in Series A funding for Humane. Interestingly, Humane was founded by former Apple employees Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno.

Can Jony Ive make the magical AI device everyone will want?

Ive's LoveFrom is partnering with OpenAI to make "a new computing device." If you've always wanted to wear your Apple Magic Mouse on your lapel, your chance may come soon. A profile of Jony Ive in the New York Times revealed that LoveFrom, the design company Ive founded after leaving Apple, is working with OpenAI to "create a new computing device because the technology could do more for users than traditional software." The project has funding from Ive, Laurene Powell Jobs' Emerson Collective, and private investors. The Times report provides direct confirmation of the partnership. Last year, The Information reported that Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman were in early talks about a possible team-up, and the Financial Times reported that SoftBank has put over $1 billion into the project. The Times doesn't provide any specifics about the "secret" project with the goal of a "computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone." In its report last year, the Financial Times said that Ive was interested in a design that did not rely on a display. Whether it has a display or not, the question remains whether a hardware device solely for AI functionality will find a mass audience. We've already seen two AI assistants debut and flop, hard: The Rabbit r1, a "pocket companion," and the wearable Humane AI Pin. Despite both products featuring unique designs, neither was able to gain any momentum after their initial release. Ive's effort will almost certainly get a ton of attention, but convincing people to buy a new gadget that likely needs its own subscription will be difficult. The problem with convincing the general public that they need a dedicated mobile AI device is that they already have one: their smartphones. While AI companies like OpenAI believe AI can be a specific stand-alone product, Apple's approach is that AI is the basis of features for a broader product set across its range of existing iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI feature set for its operating systems, will be rolled out over the next few months, starting the major point-one release of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 in October. Jony Ive joined Apple in 1992 and eventually became the company's Chief Design Officer in 2015. He was the person behind iconic Apple designs for the iMac, iPod, MacBook, and iPhone. Ive left Apple in 2019 and started LoveFrom, a design company whose clients reportedly include Airbnb, Christie's, Ferrari, and Moncler.

Jony Ive Confirms Involvement in AI Hardware Project With OpenAI

Former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive has officially confirmed his involvement in an artificial intelligence hardware project with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The confirmation appeared in a profile of the designer by The New York Times, putting to rest speculation that began nearly a year ago about a potential collaboration between the two figures. The AI hardware venture is reportedly being funded by Ive and the Emerson Collective, a company founded by Laurene Powell Jobs. According to the report, the project could secure up to $1 billion in funding by the end of the year, signaling significant investor interest in the endeavor. Despite its high-profile leadership, the project is still in its early stages, with only 10 employees currently on board. However, the team includes notable former Apple designers Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, both of whom worked closely with Ive on the iPhone. Ive's design firm, LoveFrom, is spearheading the device's design process. The collaboration between Ive and Altman reportedly stemmed from discussions about the potential for generative AI to enable new types of computing devices. The technology's ability to handle complex requests is seen as a key factor in creating novel user experiences that go beyond traditional software capabilities. While specific details about the AI product and its release timeline remain under wraps, the team has already established a significant presence in San Francisco, working out of a 32,000-square-foot office building, part of a $90 million real estate acquisition by Ive on a single city block. The new venture marks Ive's most significant technology project since departing Apple in 2019. After leaving his role as chief design officer, Ive continued to work with Apple as a consultant through LoveFrom until 2022, when the partnership officially concluded.

'You somehow have to make friends with uncertainty': Apple's Jony Ive hints at mysterious new AI device and OpenAI collaboration

It's official: Apple's iconic former VP of Hardware Engineering, Jony Ive, is working on a secretive AI project with OpenAI. In the five years since Ive left Apple, he's worked on everything from real estate to a book on the history of buttons (yes, really). His most intriguing project is also his most mysterious, but it will have to overcome a string of recent failures to succeed. According to a profile by The New York Times, Ive is developing a new AI device in collaboration with OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT. The project is still in its infancy, but already its future looks uncertain. Other dedicated AI devices, namely the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI pin, were spectacular flops when they launched earlier this year. Can Jony Ive work his design magic once again to transform AI devices into a success? Despite the cautionary tales of the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI pin, Jony Ive sounds optimistic about the future of his mysterious collaboration with OpenAI. "You somehow have to make friends with uncertainty," Ive commented in the New York Times profile. Ive is credited with forging Apple's iconic design language, which earned him a reputation as a living legend in Silicon Valley. Since leaving Apple in 2019, Ive has mainly been occupied with a variety of obscure design projects under the brand of his design firm, LoveFrom. It looks like he may be stepping back into the tech world now, this time working alongside OpenAI. The ChatGPT developer has faced some major controversies this year, largely revolving around its CEO, Sam Altman. However, ChatGPT remains one of the most popular AI platforms in the world and recently scored a cameo in Apple's new Apple Intelligence platform. Ive's collaboration with OpenAI doesn't have anything to do with Apple, though. Instead, Ive and OpenAI have their sights set on a new AI device, although even Ive doesn't know what it will be yet. The New York Times profile notes, "The project is being developed in secret. Mr. Newson said that what the product would be and when it would be released were still being determined." Marc Newsom, an industrial designer, is a long-time friend of Jony Ive and is working with him on the OpenAI project. It's hard to say what exactly that project will become, but the tech industry will be keeping an eye on Ive and OpenAI now, especially since they seem to be diving headfirst into a failing product category. There's no question Jony Ive was a critical part of Apple's success in his time there, but AI hardware is a different animal. You'd be forgiven for thinking that given how this year's launches in the category have gone. The Rabbit R1 and Humane AI pin both tried to spark mass appeal for dedicated AI devices, but both ultimately sputtered. Reviews described the Rabbit R1 as "an unfinished, unhelpful AI gadget" and the Humane AI pin was plagued by so many glitches and issues at launch that within a few months the company began talks with HP to sell itself off. Those aren't the good omens one would hope for when developing a new product. If Ive and OpenAI want theirs to succeed where the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI pin failed, they need to dig into why those devices failed. On one hand, the answer seems obvious: both products launched before they were ready and couldn't deliver on their promises. Both also fell short of basic performance expectations with an array of glitches and hardware issues (one of which even forced Humane to warn users that its pin's charging case could catch on fire). People were initially excited about these products. It's not impossible to get them right, but developers and designers need to build something that's more than just an AI app on its own device. If Ive and OpenAI were looking for an easy win, this isn't it. Maybe this is the only collaboration that can make AI devices work, though. If what Marc Newsom told the New York Times about Ive's secret project is true, Ive and OpenAI may be borrowing from Apple's book to take the slow-and-steady approach. Their AI device could take countless forms, too, from glasses to a phone-like device. We'll have to wait and see what Ive and OpenAI come up with, but one has to wonder: if this AI device is a success, could it free OpenAI from its collaboration with Apple? OpenAI landed a ChatGPT integration in Apple Intelligence, but if OpenAI can develop its own dedicated product for AI tasks, continuing to collaborate with Apple might not be worth it. That's especially true if Jony Ive can help OpenAI come up with something that looks as good as an Apple product. We'll all be watching Ive and OpenAI's collaboration closely, but Apple may be watching it closest of all.

Apple's Former Design Maestro Jony Ive Confirms He's Joined Forces With OpenAI's Sam Altman For A New AI Hardware Project

Apple design legend Sir Jony Ive has confirmed his collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, on a new AI hardware project. What Happened: Ive confirmed his involvement in the project during a profile interview with The New York Times that was published on Saturday, reported The Verge. The project, which was first rumored nearly a year ago, is still shrouded in mystery with few details available. As per the report, Ive met Altman through Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. Funding for the venture is being provided by Ive and the Emerson Collective, a company owned by Laurene Powell Jobs. The project is expected to raise $1 billion in funding by year-end. See Also: Elon Musk And Nvidia CEO Share Vision Of AI-Powered Personal Assistants, LinkedIn Under Scrutiny And More: This Week In AI The team, currently consisting of 10 employees, includes key figures like Tang Tan and Evans Hankey who previously worked with Ive on the iPhone. The project is being led by LoveFrom, Ive's company, and is based in a 32,000-square-foot office building in San Francisco. According to The Times, the device will leverage generative AI to handle complex requests, offering more to users than traditional software. However, specifics about the AI product and its market launch are still being determined. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. Why It Matters: Previously, it was reported that Altman and Ive intend to develop a more intuitive and seamless way for users to engage with AI. Their goal is to create a transformative experience akin to the impact the original iPhone had on the smartphone industry. When Apple introduced the first iPhone in 2007, it revolutionized the market, which had been dominated by bulky phones with physical keyboards, by offering a touchscreen-only interface. In a similar vein, current AI interactions still require manual input, whether through text prompts or voice commands. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Thinks Social Media Platforms Like TikTok And Facebook Are 'A Total Stupid Waste Of Time' Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Jony Ive and Sam Altman are quietly building an AI product

Designer Jony Ive, who gave many of Apple's most iconic products their distinct look, is working with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to design and build an AI product. And the company's funding raise could reach $1 billion before the end of the year. The project was confirmed in a feature about Ive that appears in The New York Times but did not give details about what, exactly, the project is. Industrial designer Marc Newson, who is working with Ive on the project, indicated the teams are still determining exactly what the project will be. That's not stopping investors from jumping in. The project could reach unicorn status before the end of December, with investors including Emerson Collective, which is run by Laurene Powell Jobs. Ive's LoveDesign will be in charge of designing the product. Ive and Altman first met last year, when Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, arranged a dinner between the two. Ive and Altman discussed how generative AI could make new computing devices possible, among other things. That led to more dinners and eventually an agreement to work together. In February, the startup found offices and hired 10 employees, including the person who succeeded Ive at Apple as well as the product development lead for the iPhone. Ive left Apple in 2019 to start his own company. It has turned some heads with its creations thus far, including a new typeface and a new sort of button on coats, but to date LoveDesign has not played a part in any significant hardware designs, something that has baffled some onlookers, given Ive's storied history in that field.

Yup, Jony Ive is working on an AI device startup with OpenAI

Jony Ive, the legendary designer who left his full-time role at Apple five years ago, is working on a new startup with OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman. The collaboration was first reported last year, and Ive confirmed it in a New York Times profile about what he's been up to since leaving Apple. If the startup has a name, Ive isn't sharing it, but it apparently emerged from dinners with Altman last year where the pair discussed the potential of generative AI. With Ive's firm LoveFrom leading the design, the profile describes the goal as building "a product that uses A.I. to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone." So perhaps Ive and Altman can succeed where other AI device companies like Humane have struggled. Industrial designer Marc Newson, who's working with Ive, said the product specifics and release timing haven't been decided. Despite that vagueness, the startup is fundraising, with Laurene Powell-Jobs' Emerson Collective and Ive himself contributing. It sounds like the company is aiming to raise up to $1 billion by the end of the year.

Jony Ive confirms he's working with Sam Altman on a secret project

The designer has been buying up properties on one San Francisco block where the team is working out of. Rumors emerged last year of a collaboration between former Apple designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, but the two have until now kept quiet about it. In a profile by that was published this weekend, though, Ive confirms his company LoveFrom is leading the design on an AI product being built with Altman. Also on board are Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, both of whom held big design roles at Apple. There's so far a team of about 10 employees involved with the project, based in a San Francisco office building that's one of several properties Ive has purchased on a single city block, according to the Times. But we still don't know much about the product they're working on. The report describes Tan and Hankey wheeling chairs between the LoveFrom properties that were "topped by papers and cardboard boxes with the earliest ideas for a product that uses A.I. to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone." Since Ive left Apple in 2019 to start LoveFrom, the design firm has worked on and even , but we haven't seen much in the way of hardware -- just . While an AI product seems to be on the horizon, there's currently no timeline for when it'll make its debut.

Jony Ive confirms he's working on a device for OpenAI - but what could it be?

Back in April, we heard that ChatGPT developer OpenAI was busy working on a hardware device in partnership with ex-Apple design chief Jony Ive - a rumor that has now been confirmed in a new profile of Ive. The profile appeared in the New York Times (via The Verge), and goes into some of the background of how Ive met OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The pair agreed to partner up on a new "artificial intelligence device company" - but for the time being, it's not clear what form this device could take. We do know that much of the device development is being done in secret: the device will be "a product that uses AI to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone", as per the article. However, the exact nature of the gadget and its released date are both "still being determined". The article does say that the fledgling AI device company does have office space, and has secured some private funding. In addition, some of the device design team worked with Ive on designing the iPhone (he's also responsible for many other modern Apple product designs, including the iPad and the MacBook). Based on the information we get here, it looks as though the exact form factor and features of the upcoming OpenAI piece of hardware are all still yet to be determined - though we've already seen numerous other AI gadgets hit the market in recent times. The Rabbit R1 hasn't really lived up to its initial promise: the phone-like box promises to use your mobile apps for you, to some extent, replacing them with an all-purpose generative AI assistant - but in our Rabbit R1 review we described it as "an adorable but half-baked idea that you can ignore". Then there's the Humane AI Pin, which launched to a lukewarm reception. The idea is similar to the Rabbit R1, in that it uses generative AI to mostly replace your smartphone, but the little wearable gadget has been plagued by problems with battery life and overheating in the short time it's been on sale. These devices, and others including the Plaud.AI NotePin and the Friend, are basically just putting a generative AI assistant inside a compact device. OpenAI already has the assistant software sorted - now it just needs to work out the best physical form for it.

Jony Ive confirms he's working on an AI hardware product

Ive also shared that he bought a chunk of real estate in one of San Francisco's most famous blocks, and plans include a LoveFrom store selling everything from notebooks to clothing ... Rumors about the project date back to a very vague report in 2023. As reported by The Information, Ive has been in talks with Altman about building a new AI device. It's unclear at this point what the purpose of this device will be or what it will look like, but sources familiar with the conversations say that they want to create a "new hardware for the age of AI." Later the same year, one of his most senior former colleagues at Apple left the company. Apple's head of iPhone and Apple Watch product design is departing the company, according to a new report from Bloomberg. Tang Tan, who currently holds the title of VP of product design at Apple, will leave the company in February, the report says. And was subsequently reported to be joining LoveFrom to work on the AI device. As reported by Bloomberg, Tan will work with Jony Ive at LoveFrom, alongside OpenAI's Sam Altman, to "work on a new artificial intelligence hardware project." There was also talk of a potential billion dollars in funding from Laurene Powell Jobs. The report says the pair are in investment discussions with the VC and advocacy company founded by Laurene Powell Jobs. The startup has discussed deals with Emerson Collective [...] according to a person involved in the process and another person with knowledge of the talks. Ive wants to raise up to $1 billion in funding, said a second person who has been involved in the process. Ive has for the first time confirmed that he's working on the device, in an interview with The New York Times. The piece also confirms that not just one but both of his most senior reports at Apple have joined him to work on the project. Mr. Altman and Mr. Ive talked about how generative A.I. made it possible to create a new computing device because the technology could do more for users than traditional software since it could summarize and prioritize messages, identify and name objects like plants and eventually field complex requests like booking travel. Mr. Ive and Mr. Altman met for dinner several more times before agreeing to build a product, with LoveFrom leading the design. They have raised money privately, with Mr. Ive and Emerson Collective, Ms. Powell Jobs's company, contributing, and could raise up to $1 billion in start-up funding by the end of the year from tech investors [...] He has hired about 10 employees, including Tang Tan, who oversaw iPhone product development, and Evans Hankey, who succeeded Mr. Ive in leading design at Apple. The piece doesn't shed any light on what form the device might take, and it's hard to see where the opportunity might be found. Existing attempts to sell AI hardware have not exactly had a stellar track-record, leaving many of us wondering why they weren't just apps. Whether Ive and Altman can change this remains to be seen - but despite my skepticism, it would be a brave person who bets against the pair. The interview also reveals that Ive has bought a chunk of San Francisco's Jackson Square, amounting to half a city block. Plans for this include turning the central parking lot into gardens, and opening a LoveFrom store

Sam Altman and former Apple executives are making an AI device

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman is teaming up with former Apple (AAPL) design executive Jony Ive and Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs, to start a new artificial intelligence device company. Ive confirmed the project Tin in an interview with the New York Times published Saturday. According to the former Apple executive, it all started when Airbnb (ABNB) CEO Brian Chesky -- a close friend of Altman's and client of Ive's design company, LoveFrom -- arranged for the pair to meet for dinner last year. From there, Altman and Ive continued to meet, and decided that they would build a new device, with Ive responsible for the design. Ive and Emerson Collective, a firm founded by Powell Jobs, have already contributed, according to the Times. By the end of this year, the startup could reach $1 billion in funding. The secret project already has a physical office space and 10 employees. Key staffers include Tang Tan, who headed product design teams for the iPhone and Apple Watch, and Evans Hankey, who succeeded Ive as Apple's design chief. Ive left Apple in July 2019 after nearly three decades with the iPhone maker, and founded his own design studio, LoveFrom, shortly after. The Information first reported talks between Altman and Ive over an AI hardware project a year ago. Meanwhile, Altman's OpenAI, the company behind popular generative AI chatbot ChatGPT, is in talks with several investors to raise billions of dollars in new funding, which would value the company at more than $100 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. The funding round is reportedly drawing big names, including Apple, Microsoft (MSFT), and chip giant Nvidia (NVDA) -- which is in talks to potentially contribute $100 million. The latter owns a 49% share of OpenAI's profits after contributing approximately $13 billion to startup, including $10 billion in backing in January 2023. Over the past two years, OpenAI has become the most influential generative AI company on the market. ChatGPT hit 100 million weekly users earlier this year, and kicked off the genAI and chatbot boom with the success of its flagship model. With that growth, OpenAI's influence -- and value -- has continued to snowball. A deal allowing employees to sell stakes in the company valued OpenAI at $86 billion late last year, nearly triple what it was earlier in 2023.With that growth, OpenAI's influence -- and value -- has continued to snowball. A deal allowing employees to sell stakes in the company valued OpenAI at $86 billion late last year, nearly triple what it was earlier in 2023.

One of Apple's great designers is working with OpenAI: this is what they have planned - Softonic

Subscribe to the Softonic newsletter and get the latest in tech, gaming entertainment and deals right in your inbox. Ive is not exactly an unknown face in the industry. The former Apple employee is behind the design of some of the company's most iconic devices; from the colorful gadgets of the late '90s to the current minimalist laptops, his legacy and influence remain present at Apple, and now he seems determined to apply his creativity to a completely new project using AI. According to Ive, this new device, which is being developed in an office in San Francisco, could usher in "a new form of computing". The design team also includes Evans Hankey and Tang Tan, former collaborators of Ive at Apple. Although not many details have been given, it is speculated that the device will allow AI to interact directly with the operating system and make decisions for the user. For example, the AI could use sensors and cameras to identify situations such as you leaving home and needing transportation, ordering an Uber at the right moment. "The possibilities are endless," say those involved. However, Ive and Altman are not the only ones in this race to revolutionize technology. Meta, the company of Mark Zuckerberg, has been investing in augmented reality glasses with AI for years, and although other attempts have emerged like the AI Pin by Humane and the Rabbit r1, these have not been successful at all. Despite all this, AI continues to generate reluctance among many consumers, who doubt its true value and long-term usefulness.

Jony Ive collaborates with Sam Altman on new AI hardware project: Details: Technology news

Jony Ive, who resigned from his designer role at Apple five years ago, is collaborating with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on an AI hardware project. This collaboration was confirmed today in a profile of Ive in The New York Times, nearly a year after initial reports suggested a partnership between Altman and the longtime Apple designer. The profile describes the goal as creating "a product that uses A.I. to deliver a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone."

Sam Altman is joining forces with design guru Jony Ive and Steve Jobs' widow to build a new AI device company

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Ive started LoveFrom in 2019 after nearly 30 years at Apple, where he led design efforts for the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and the Apple Watch. Ive and Altman met several times for dinner, where they discussed the potential of launching a new AI-centered computing device, per The Times. Eventually, they agreed to build it together. Altman's new venture has been raising money privately, and has taken funds from both Ive and Emerson Collective, an impact investing and philanthropy firm founded by Powell Jobs. According to The Times, the startup is on track to raise up to $1 billion in start-up funding by the end of 2024. Marc Newson, who cofounded LoveFrom with Ive, told The Times that they were still figuring out the product and its release date. In October 2023, Altman expressed his interest in AI devices while speaking at The Wall Street Journal's Tech Live event. "I'm interested in this topic, I think it is possible," Altman told The Journal's tech columnist Joanna Stern at the event. "I do think every sufficiently big, new technology enables some new computing platform. But lots of ideas, but all at the very nascent stage." Notably, Altman told Stern in October 2023 that he didn't think AI devices would eclipse smartphones. "Smartphones are great. I have no interest in trying to go compete with a smartphone. It's a phenomenal thing at what it does," Altman said. "But I think it's well worth the effort of talking about or thinking about what we can make now that before we had computers that could think, or computers that could understand whatever you wanna call, was not possible. And if the answer is nothing, it would be a little bit disappointing." To be sure, Altman and Ive aren't the only ones seeing potential in an AI-centric device. Former Apple employees Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno cofounded their own AI startup, Humane in 2019 and launched their first product, the Ai Pin in November. However, the pin got bad reviews regarding its capability at rollout. In May, Bloomberg reported that Humane was looking for a buyer and is seeking a price of between $750 million and $1 billion. The company was valued at $850 million last year, per The Information. The company saw more returns than purchases of the Ai Pin between May and August this year, The Verge reported last month, citing internal sales data it had obtained. Zoz Cuccias, a spokesperson for Humane, told The Verge that the company would not comment on financial data, and would refer the matter to their legal counsel. Representatives for Altman at OpenAI and Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

AI's Next Big Thing: Apple's Ive and

A Reimagining of the original iPhone with advanced AI features. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has teamed up with the legendary former Chief Design Officer at Apple, Jony Ive. According to reports, both have joined forces to create what they say will be a breakthrough, new AI device. This device will meet expectations of what they created and popularized with the first iPhone. The product release is said to move boundaries in AI technology into consumers' hands. The design for the new device is being taken care of by Ive's company called LoveFrom, with Altman overseeing AI-driven functionalities.

Jony Ive confirms partnership with OpenAI on a new piece of AI hardware, despite market failures

So far, the major AI devices we've seen have failed miserably, such as the Humane Ai Pin and the Rabbit R1. In the past year, we've seen a slew of devices based around generative AI that were claimed to be "the next big thing." The Humane Ai Pin and the Rabbit R1 are two significant examples. However, both failed miserably for myriad reasons, with the most significant reason being people don't seem to want dedicated hardware for AI services -- they just want to use their smartphones. Despite this, we've learned today that Jony Ive -- the man most directly responsible for the designs of the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and more Apple products under Steve Jobs -- is working with OpenAI's Sam Altman on some sort of new AI-powered hardware. This was revealed in a profile on Ive in The New York Times. Previously, we had heard rumors that Ive and OpenAI were working together on AI hardware that doesn't look like a phone. It's assumed that ChatGPT would power this device, considering the ties to OpenAI. However, that's all we heard until today's confirmation of the partnership. According to the report, there are already 10 employees working on this project and Ive is looking to raise venture capital to support a new company that would create the product. Due to Ive's and Altman's respective pedigrees, it's expected the company could raise $1 billion by the end of 2024. Obviously, Ive is a tech industry legend, and Altman is on his way to being talked about in the same manner as Jobs, Gates, and other tech titans. However, one can't help but think that it will take lightning in a bottle to tear people away from a smartphone and use AI-powered hardware instead. Because if the hardware can't replace the smartphone, then people will just continue to use the smartphone. Humane couldn't do it, Rabbit couldn't do it, so time will tell if Ive and Altman can do it.