OpenAI Partners with Apple Suppliers for AI-Powered Hardware Push

OpenAI taps Apple supplier to make AI device, the Information reports

Sept 19 (Reuters) - OpenAI has signed a deal with Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab device assembler, Luxshare (002475.SZ), opens new tab, to make a consumer device, the Information reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models. Luxshare and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, earlier this year in a $6.5 billion deal, underscoring its push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Luxshare, a major assembler of Apple's iPhones and AirPods, would bring large-scale manufacturing capabilities to OpenAI's effort. Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

OpenAI and Ive poach Apple designers, target suppliers for hardware push - 9to5Mac

A few months ago, OpenAI teamed up with Jony Ive to build the next generation of AI-powered hardware, under the brand io. Now, according to The Information, they are working with the same supply chain partners that Apple relies on for its own products. Here are the details. According to the report, io has already signed with a major Apple supplier and is courting a second: "Luxshare, a major assembler of iPhones and AirPods in China, has already secured a contract to assemble at least one of OpenAI's devices, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the matter. OpenAI has also approached Goertek, which assembles AirPods, HomePods and Apple Watches, to supply components such as speaker modules for OpenAI's future products, the people said." The report also offers a few previously unreported (but widely speculated) details about what exactly OpenAI and Jony Ive intend to release under the brand io. Up until now, io had mentioned only that their plans involved wearables in some capacity, with very little specific details about which (or how many) products they planned to release. According to the report: "One of the products OpenAI has talked to suppliers about making resembles a smart speaker without a display, the people said. OpenAI has also considered building glasses, a digital voice recorder and a wearable pin, and is targeting late 2026 or early 2027 for the release of its first devices, one of the people said." Today's report also notes that since io was announced, OpenAI and Jony Ive were able to poach "more than two dozen employees from Apple who worked on consumer hardware," versus around 10 deflections last year. From the report: "Those recruits include hardware engineers and designers who previously focused on user interfaces, wearables, cameras and audio engineering at Apple, among other areas, according to their LinkedIn profiles and people familiar with the matter." This adds to the brain drain that the company has been facing at its AI divisions, with multiple departures to Meta and other competitors in recent months. In the case of OpenAI, another big draw aside from large compensation packages, is the fact that these employees will get the chance to work once again not only with Jony Ive and Evans Hankey, but also with Tang Tan, who spent more than 25 years working on design at Apple. Some of the recent hirings include: Aside from the reunion with old colleagues and the large compensation packages, the report also mentions the fact that most of the new hires seem excited to work on new initiatives rather than Apple's more iterative offerings. What's your take on the departure of Apple designers to OpenAI? Let us know in the comments.

OpenAI Just Tapped an Apple Supplier to Make an AI Device -- Report

OpenAI has signed a deal with Apple device assembler, Luxshare, to make a consumer device, the Information reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models. Such a gadget could eat into the markets of Apple and other consumer electronics makers by offering an alternative to users for interacting with AI, challenging the dominance of smartphones and traditional hardware. Luxshare and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, earlier this year in a $6.5 billion deal, underscoring its push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Luxshare, a major assembler of Apple's iPhones and AirPods, would bring large-scale manufacturing capabilities to OpenAI's effort. OpenAI has also approached China-based Goertek, a supplier that assembles AirPods, HomePods and Apple Watches, to provide components, including speaker modules, for its planned devices, the Information report said. The project marks one of the boldest bets yet by an AI company to build a dedicated device rather than relying solely on smartphones and PCs. The goal is to create an "AI-native" product, hardware designed from the ground up to work with AI models, rather than bolted onto existing platforms. This, according to analysts, could open new markets and give OpenAI a foothold in consumer electronics, an arena still dominated by Apple, Samsung and Alphabet's Google. Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar. The extended deadline for the 2025 Inc. Best in Business Awards is this Friday, September 19, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

OpenAI taps Apple supplier to make AI device: report - The Economic Times

The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models.OpenAI has signed a deal with Apple device assembler, Luxshare, to make a consumer device, the Information reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models. Luxshare and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, earlier this year in a $6.5 billion deal, underscoring its push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Luxshare, a major assembler of Apple's iPhones and AirPods, would bring large-scale manufacturing capabilities to OpenAI's effort.

OpenAI And Jony Ive Recruit Top Apple Talent, Tap Key Suppliers To Build Next-Gen AI Hardware

OpenAI has been increasingly looking into expanding its products and services and has established itself across various domains. While the company is best known for its groundbreaking AI models, the tech giant is determined to establish itself in the hardware space and has partnered up with Jony Ive, who is the legendary designer behind Apple's most iconic products. While the two have teamed together to build the next generation of AI-powered hardware, new reports are coming in about the company now actively poaching top talent from Apple and even targeting its key suppliers. OpenAI is not afraid to experiment and pivot in different directions to push for growth, and this could be seen in the company's efforts to have Jony Ive lead its next-generation AI device initiative. However, it is not just limited to getting Jony Ive on board. According to The Information, ChatGPT maker seems to be now actively recruiting other top talent from Apple and even seeking its key suppliers to bring the vision to life. It is a major step for OpenAI, as the company seems determined to excel not just on the artificial intelligence front but also when it comes to consumer-facing hardware. In its attempts to accelerate the ongoing efforts, it has hired about two dozen Apple employees, including designers, hardware engineers, and user interface specialists, among many other top recruits. Some of the prominent Apple hires include Matt Theobald, manufacturing design expert, and Cyrus Daniel Irani, the lead of human interface design. These new hires are not only experts in their fields but also have profound experience at Apple, where they worked on design-driven innovations, helping OpenAI achieve its ambitious goals even further through meaningful AI integrations with aesthetics also remaining at the core. The raiding is not limited to employees alone, as OpenAI also seems to be working with Apple's key suppliers, such as Luxshare and Goertek, for assembly and components. According to the source, the company seems to be exploring varied devices such as a digital voice recorder and a wearable pin, and it is aiming for a launch in late 2026 or early 2027. OpenAI is luring Apple's employees through higher compensation and motivation to work on fresh and innovative products that have massive growth opportunities. Looking at this broadly, this could entirely reshape the AI hardware landscape. Even though hardware development brings about its own challenges, OpenAI, by following a smart strategy of seeking top talent from Apple, would be able to move forward with its innovative initiative better and in a more efficient manner.

OpenAI taps Apple supplier to make AI device, the Information reports

(Reuters) - OpenAI has signed a deal with Apple device assembler, Luxshare, to make a consumer device, the Information reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. The device is currently a prototype under development and is expected to be pocket-sized and aware of context, designed to work closely with the ChatGPT parent's artificial intelligence models. Luxshare and OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. OpenAI bought hardware startup io Products, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, earlier this year in a $6.5 billion deal, underscoring its push to move beyond software into consumer hardware. Luxshare, a major assembler of Apple's iPhones and AirPods, would bring large-scale manufacturing capabilities to OpenAI's effort. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)