OpenAI is placing a major bet on audio as the next primary interface for artificial intelligence (AI). According to new reporting from The Information, the company has consolidated multiple engineering, product, and research teams over the past two months to significantly overhaul its audio models—laying the groundwork for an audio-first personal device expected to launch in roughly a year.

The effort goes well beyond improving how ChatGPT sounds. Instead, it reflects a broader industry shift toward reducing reliance on screens and embedding AI into everyday environments through voice-based interaction.

According to The Information, OpenAI has unified several internal teams to rework its audio capabilities from the ground up. The goal is to develop models that feel less transactional and more conversational—capable of handling interruptions, overlapping speech, and the natural rhythm of human dialogue.

The new audio model, expected in early 2026, is reported to sound more natural and handle interruptions in a way that more closely resembles a human conversation partner. Unlike today’s voice assistants—which typically rely on turn-based interaction—the updated model is designed to speak while users are talking, a capability current systems are not able to support.

The company is also said to be exploring a family of audio-first devices, potentially including screenless smart speakers or wearable hardware, that function less like traditional tools and more like persistent companions.

OpenAI’s move mirrors a broader reorientation across the technology sector. Voice assistants are already embedded in more than a third of U.S. households, and companies are increasingly experimenting with audio as a way to reduce friction between humans and machines.

Recent examples include:

Across these efforts, audio is being positioned not as an accessory to screens, but as a replacement for them in many contexts.

The push toward audio-first AI is not limited to large technology companies. A growing number of startups have attempted to build screenless AI devices, with uneven outcomes.

The Humane AI Pin, once heavily funded, struggled to find product-market fit and became an early cautionary tale. The Friend AI pendant, marketed as a wearable companion that records daily life, has generated intense debate around privacy and emotional dependency.

At the same time, new form factors continue to emerge. At least two companies—including Sandbar and a startup led by Eric Migicovsky, founder of Pebble—are reportedly developing AI-enabled rings expected to debut in 2026, allowing users to interact with AI through subtle voice commands.

Despite differing designs, the underlying belief is consistent: audio may be the most natural interface for ubiquitous AI.

The renewed emphasis on audio also aligns with Jony Ive’s design philosophy. The former Apple design chief joined OpenAI’s hardware efforts through the company’s $6.5 billion acquisition of his firm io earlier this year.

According to The Information, Ive views audio-first devices as an opportunity to counteract years of increasing screen dependency, framing the shift as a chance to “right the wrongs” of earlier consumer technology by creating experiences that demand less visual attention.

Q: What makes OpenAI’s new audio model different from existing voice assistants?
A: The reported model is designed to handle natural conversation, including interruptions and overlapping speech, rather than relying on rigid turn-based interaction.

Q: Is OpenAI definitely launching a hardware device?
A: According to reporting, OpenAI is preparing for an audio-first personal device, but details on form factor and timing have not been officially confirmed.

Q: Why are companies moving away from screens?
A: Audio interfaces allow AI to operate in the background, reducing friction and enabling interaction in environments where screens are impractical or distracting.

Q: What are the privacy implications of audio-first AI devices?
A: Audio-first AI systems rely on microphones that may be active for extended periods, raising concerns about consent, data collection, and how continuously captured audio is stored or processed. How companies address transparency and user control will play a central role in whether these devices are widely adopted.

Q: Does audio-first AI replace screens entirely?
A: Most companies appear to be positioning audio as a complement rather than a full replacement for screens, particularly for tasks that benefit from visual context. The broader shift suggests a rebalancing of interfaces rather than the complete removal of displays.

OpenAI’s audio push reflects a deeper rethinking of how humans should interact with AI—and it could directly change how people access information, manage daily tasks, and interact with technology throughout the day. Moving away from screens may make AI feel less demanding and more ambient, particularly in homes, cars, and wearable contexts where visual attention is limited or already divided.

At the same time, audio-first AI raises new concerns that extend beyond convenience. Persistent listening devices intensify questions around privacy, consent, and how much of everyday life should be mediated by always-on systems. The same technologies designed to reduce screen time may also increase emotional reliance on AI companions that are constantly present.

Whether audio-first design ultimately benefits users will depend less on technical capability and more on how companies handle transparency, data use, and human control. As audio-based AI becomes more embedded in daily routines, the balance between assistance and intrusion will shape whether these systems feel empowering—or unavoidable.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.