Reports regarding a partnership between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design guru Jony Ive to create what they are referring to as the “iPhone of AI” first surfaced in September 2023. The goal of this massive project is to develop a new consumer product that utilizes the cutting-edge technology of OpenAI.
The Financial Times disclosed that Ive and Altman discussed the possible product during brainstorming sessions at Ive’s San Francisco studio. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son reportedly pushed a major role for ARM, in which SoftBank has a sizable ownership, and offered financial backing for the project during these negotiations. Despite the serious nature of these conversations, no definitive agreement was reached.
The latest reports indicate that the AI-powered device being developed by Ive and Altman will not resemble a traditional smartphone. According to The Information, Altman is exploring a screenless device, similar to the approach taken by another of his recent investments, the Humane AI pin.
To raise about $1 billion for their startup, Ive and Altman are presently in advanced talks with a number of venture capital firms, such as Thrive Capital and Emerson Collective. Anticipated to run on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the gadget will demonstrate the possibilities of AI in consumer electronics.
Ive, who is well-known for having contributed to the design of Apple products like the iPhone and iOS interface, departed the company in 2019 to launch his own design company, LoveForm. Nonetheless, he carried on working as a consultant for Apple until 2022. Ive has previously highlighted the significance of properly developing goods and voiced concerns about the unexpected repercussions of smartphone usage.
Even though stand-alone AI gadgets like the Rabbit r1 and the Humane AI pin have attracted a lot of interest, there are still concerns about whether or not they will live up to the hype. Can these gadgets, for instance, perform intricate jobs like holiday planning as well as a human while maintaining user data security? The creation of the “iPhone of AI” is an exciting new direction in consumer technology, despite these obstacles.
