Jony Ive, who famously designed the iPhone (amongst different iconic Apple gadgets), is set to turn out to be the design lead for OpenAI, the chatCPT AI large that, for now, does now not make a unmarried {hardware} software.
The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday reported the upcoming deal, which sees OpenAI achieve Ive’s io corporate in a deal valued at $6.5 billion. As a part of that, Ive turns into the design lead for OpenAI, a task he is been slowly-stepping into for a while.
Ive, who famously led Apple’s design for many years, left the corporate in 2019 and, in fresh months, has expressed some misgivings concerning the imaginable damaging have an effect on of the former merchandise he is labored on (which may possibly come with the iPhone).
“I think when you’re innovating, of course, there will be unintended consequences, You hope that the majority will be pleasant surprises. Certain products that I’ve been very, very involved with, I think there were some unintended consequences that were far from pleasant,” said Ive earlier this month, according to the Verge.
While reports indicate that Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are interested in building AI-capable consumer hardware, a smartphone is probably not on that menu.
Instead, most expect the duo to focus on wearables like earbuds and smartwatches that could be enhanced with, for instance, cameras that could see your surroundings and use onboard AI to help you act on and react to them.
A delicate technique
Ive’s focal point may also it sounds as if be on upgrading OpenAI instrument’s visible attraction. So be expecting an infusion of Ive-ness on ChatGPT on cell and the desktop (the place it has a specifically techy or dev-friendly appearance), in addition to on Sora and Dall-E interfaces.
In the latter part of his career at Apple, Ive was most responsible for stripping away skeuomorphism – making digital icons look like their real-world counterparts – across Apple’s platforms. OpenAI’s software doesn’t suffer from the skeuomorphic scourge, but some could argue its overall look is less than elegant.
If you’re curious if Ive’s design skills are still up to snuff, just take a look at the updated Airbnb, which Ive’s Loveform firm redesigned. Loveform, by the way, is set to remain a stand-alone company and will, according to The Wall Street Journal, work with OpenAI as a client.
The news must sting Apple a little bit. The company, which partnered with OpenAI to include ChatGPT access in Apple Intelligence, has now not most effective did not ship its personal generative AI, however is falling at the back of the trade in handing over a real, blended {hardware}/instrument AI revel in.
Hints of hardware to come
It’ll be fascinating to see what Altman and Ive cook up, and we already have some hints.
Altman announced the deal by tweeting that he’s “excited to take a look at to create a brand new technology of AI-powered computer systems.” Taken literally, we might expect an AI PC from the team, but I think here Altman means “computer systems writ massive” in that most intelligent consumer electronics could be considered computing devices.
The tweet was accompanied by a video featuring a conversation between Ive and Altman, in which Altman described developing “a circle of relatives of gadgets that will let other folks use AI to create all forms of various things.”
Without disclosing the product, Ive revealed that “the primary one we now have been running on has virtually utterly captured our creativeness.” Further, Altman added that Ive handed him the device to take home. “I’ve been in a position to reside with it and I feel it is the coolest piece of generation that the sector could have ever observed.”
No subject what they are construction, it is price remembering that the street to AI {hardware} good fortune is already suffering from the rotting carcasses of failed ventures like Human AI. Regular other folks have now not proven nice pastime in dressed in AI {hardware} that does not align with their present model possible choices.
overjoyed to be partnering with jony, imo the best clothier on the earth.excited to take a look at to create a brand new technology of AI-powered computer systems. percent.twitter.com/IPZBNrz1jQMay 21, 2025
That mentioned, there could also be a chance for OpenAI, Ive, and Altman within the sensible glasses area. It’s the only AI-connected software space that seems to be appearing some actual indicators of existence. That’s most commonly right down to Meta’s efforts with Ray Ban Meta Smart Glasses, but in addition evidenced through the approaching inflow of Android XR competition from Google companions Samsung, Warby Parker, and others. Some have been introduced this week at Google I/O 2025, and they all will characteristic Gemini at their core.
OpenAI and ChatGPT may be leading in the generative AI space, but Google Gemini is close behind. And if Android XR partners can deliver stylish Gemini Smart Glasses this year, it could quickly vault Gemini into the lead. At the very least, this puts pressure on OpenAI to deliver something.
Is Jony Ive the secret sauce that will make ChatGPT AI glasses, earbuds, smart watches, and other consumer hardware possible and desirable? Maybe. OpenAI says we’ll see their work next year. Just don’t expect a ChatGPT Phone.
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