Jony Ive, the man behind the design of the iPhone, iMac and iPad, is teaming up with OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, to build a new generation of artificial intelligence hardware.
The collaboration marks a major step towards creating smart devices that combine cutting-edge AI with sleek, user-friendly design.
OpenAI will acquire io, a product and engineering company co-founded by Mr Ive, in a deal valued at nearly $6.5 billion.
Mr Ive, who led Apple’s design team for over 20 years before leaving in 2019, started his own design firm called LoveFrom. He co-founded io alongside Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey and Tang Tan.
Although OpenAI will own io, Mr Ive will not join OpenAI as an employee. Instead, LoveFrom will remain an independent firm but take on major design and creative roles for both OpenAI and io.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has been quietly working with Mr Ive and LoveFrom since 2023. In a joint letter posted online, the two said they realised that building a new family of AI products would require an entirely new company.
The project aims to develop innovative devices that feel as groundbreaking as the original iPhone, combining beautiful design with powerful AI features.
Both OpenAI and LoveFrom are based in San Francisco, and this new partnership could set the direction for the future of consumer technology.
More details about the new products are expected in the coming months.
