Sam Altman and Jony Ive Reveal Ambitious Plans for OpenAI’s First AI Device

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and legendary Apple designer Jony Ive are preparing to launch a new class of personal technology—an AI device designed to be ever-present, aware of its user’s environment, and free from traditional screens. Speaking to OpenAI employees this week, Altman described the upcoming product as potentially the most important thing the company has ever built.

The device, still under wraps, is being developed through a $6.5 billion acquisition of Ive’s design firm, io. Altman told employees that the collaboration could add $1 trillion in value to OpenAI and eventually lead to the shipment of 100 million units, a scale he believes would be achieved faster than any other new device in history.

A New Kind of AI Device

While specifics remain scarce, Altman and Ive offered glimpses into the philosophy behind the project. The device, they said:

• Will be aware of the user’s surroundings and life context

• Will be small and unobtrusive, meant to rest in a pocket or on a desk

• Will be distinct from phones, wearables, or glasses

Altman called it a potential “third core device” alongside a laptop and smartphone—something so central to the user experience that it reshapes how people interact with AI altogether. He also described it as a “family of devices,” citing his admiration for Apple’s seamless integration of hardware and software. Ive, meanwhile, referred to the project as part of “a new design movement,” signaling a break from traditional hardware paradigms.

Altman also emphasized the importance of stealth, telling employees that OpenAI must keep the project quiet to avoid copycat competitors before the product is ready.

From Concept to Scale

Development has moved quickly. Altman said the two sides became serious about a specific device last fall, with OpenAI’s VP of Product, Peter Welinder, helping bridge the collaboration with Ive’s team.

The original plan was for io, Ive’s firm, to build and sell the device independently using OpenAI’s technology. But Altman said it became clear the project needed to be integrated fully into OpenAI, as the device would become a core part of how users experience ChatGPT, not just an optional add-on.

“We both got excited about the idea that, if you subscribed to ChatGPT, we should just mail you new computers, and you should use those,” Altman told staff.

While he acknowledged that they won’t ship 100 million units “on day one,” Altman expressed confidence in their ability to reach that number faster than any previous consumer hardware launch. Altman shared that the goal is to bring the device to market by the end of next year.

Reinventing the AI Interface

Altman believes existing devices limit what AI can do. Although ChatGPT has changed expectations about AI’s potential, it’s still largely used in the traditional software model—typing into a website or app on a laptop or phone.

“It is not the sci-fi dream of what AI could do to enable you in all the ways that I think the models are capable of,” Altman said.

By contrast, the new device is intended to provide a more seamless and context-aware relationship with the user. It’s designed not to compete with smartphones, but to offer a fundamentally different kind of interaction—one that reduces reliance on screens and better fits into daily life.

The collaboration also builds on personal creative chemistry. Ive told employees that his work with Altman has been “profound,” comparing it to the bond he had with the late Steve Jobs during their years building Apple’s most iconic products.

What This Means

OpenAI’s move into hardware represents more than a product launch—it’s a strategic shift to own the AI user experience directly, without relying on platforms like iOS or Android. As Apple and Google position themselves as AI delivery channels through phones and operating systems, Altman appears determined to create a dedicated interface for AI itself.

But building and shipping a new device—especially one meant to reshape personal computing—remains among the toughest challenges in the tech industry. Altman has already backed one such effort: Humane’s AI Pin, a screenless wearable that failed to gain traction. And OpenAI, according to reports, does not expect to turn a profit until 2029.

Still, if successful, the device could signal a paradigm shift in how AI tools are embedded into everyday life—not as software features inside other platforms, but as standalone, purpose-built companions that reflect OpenAI’s own design and vision.

This isn’t just a hardware launch—it’s a turning point, where AI moves beyond screens to become a seamless part of who we are and how we live, connect, and create.

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.