Ex-Apple designer Jony Ive joins forces with OpenAI; What to expect from their upcoming AI device

Tech industry luminaries Jony Ive and Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, have officially announced their collaboration on a confidential AI hardware initiative. This development follows a year of speculation that arose from initial reports regarding their possible partnership. Also Read: Infinix to unveil its thinnest smartphone yet; Everything we know so far Jony Ive bekräftar samarbete med Sam Altman https://t.

co/SGY4HuleAa pic.twitter.com/y4LKy7efUK — Swedroid (@swedroid) September 23, 2024 Although specific details are limited, The New York Times has provided some insights into the project.



It is believed that the collaboration was initiated after Ive was introduced to Altman by Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb. Funding for the venture appears to be sourced from both Ive and the Emerson Collective, an organization led by Laurene Powell Jobs. While previous rumors suggested a potential $1 billion investment from SoftBank's CEO Masayoshi Son, The Times does not reference this in its coverage.

The current team comprises a modest number of ten employees. Notably, it features prominent figures such as Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, both of whom played crucial roles in the development of the iPhone during Jony Ive's time at Apple. LoveFrom, the design firm founded by Ive, is naturally at the forefront of shaping the project's aesthetic vision.

They have established a dedicated office space spanning 32,000 square feet, part of a $90 million real estate investment made by Ive in San Francisco. The Times suggests that there have been conversations between Ive and Altman regarding the potential of generative AI to create a new type of computing device that could exceed the capabilities of traditional software by comprehending complex user inquiries. Initial speculation pointed to a touchscreen device reminiscent of the original iPhone, although details remain somewhat uncertain at this stage.

Jony Ive’s design firm LoveFrom is charging up to $200m a year to design new products. Clients include Airbnb (new review system), Ferrari (touchscreen), Christie’s (auction stand) and OpenAI (AI hardware). The most visible product yet is a “reinvented” button for a Moncler.

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twitter.com/AQl0XPY36H — Trung Phan (@TrungTPhan) September 22, 2024 Marc Newson, co-founder of LoveFrom, underscores the nascent phase of the project: “the AI product itself – and its release timeline – are still being determined.” This uncertainty leaves technology enthusiasts eagerly anticipating further developments.

Also Read: Apple's colourful plastic design for Watch SE in development.