It is rumored that OpenAI, the artificial intelligence specialist company, is deep into planning an AI hardware for the general consumer market. According to reports from the Financial Times, based on information from three insider sources, an “advanced dialogue” is already taking place with Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief designer. There is also a potential billion-dollar investment from Japanese conglomerate Softbank as part of this ambitious strategy.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Jony Ive, who are known to be close friends, have reportedly met several times to share their thoughts and ideas about AI-centric hardware. The intention behind these meetings is to find methods for “more natural and intuitive interactions” with AI systems. The ultimate vision is to create the “iPhone of AI,” reports the respected business newspaper.
Ive, in particular, is intrigued by the idea of using artificial intelligence to enable interactions with computers without having to stare at a screen. Although the project is still at a very early stage, the numerous and varied design ideas for the hardware allow conclusions to be drawn about its potential.
ARM chips could be crucial for this project, similar to Apple’s iPhone. Softbank is one of the main investors in the British chip design company, which recently celebrated its stock market debut. After significant losses from other IT investments, Softbank is now focusing more attention on AI.
There is speculation that a public announcement of the project could come in a few months. Talks between parties OpenAI, Ives design firms LoveFrom and Softbank are serious and advanced. However, no formal contract has been signed between the parties yet.
It should be noted that there are already some connections between OpenAI and former Apple employees. Designer Thomas Meyerhoffer, who worked for Ive at Apple for a long time, designed the Orb eye scanner for Altman’s Worldcoin project. Altman is also one of the biggest investors in Humane, a startup founded by two former Apple employees that has already unveiled its first hardware designed specifically for AI.
OpenAI’s plans signal exciting progress in the AI industry. It remains to be seen what innovations this collaboration will produce.
