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Apple’s veteran designer, Jony Ive, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will collaborate to build an AI gadget. As The Verge (via The Information) reported, the product would be an AI “hardware device,” but there are no more details about it yet.
Artificial intelligence is taking over our lives and becoming an integral part of all new devices. Most new startups that come to life claim to incorporate AI into their operations. Meanwhile, older AI companies are exploring the idea of building AI hardware, including ChatGPT’s parent company, OpenAI.
OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Apple’s former chief design officer, Jony Ive, reportedly met to discuss what “new hardware for the AI age could look like.” The outlet states that both have just talked about the possibility of building AI hardware, and there’s yet to be a firm decision to make one.
OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Jony Ive might be developing an AI hardware
Jony Ive is a legendary designer who is well-known for his memorable works at Apple, including iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and iOS interfaces. He parted ways with Apple in 2019 to work on independent projects.
Altman has already worked with former Apple designer Thomas Meyerhoffer on his Worldcoin crypto project. Meyerhoffer was Ive’s assistant in designing the iMac, and he also designed the spherical retina-scanning Orb for Altman’s startup.
Altman’s connection with former Apple employees doesn’t end here. He’s an investor in Humane, a startup founded by ex-Apple staff. Humane aims to make wearable AI devices to replace smartphones. The startup also works with OpenAI to incorporate AI technology into its devices. A smartwatch with advanced AI capabilities and ChatGPT could be the result of this project.
If Altman and Ive ever decide to build their AI hardware, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son is ready to step in and fund the project. Son is reportedly in talks with both about the project. With over $140 billion worth of investment in AI startups, SoftBank aims to become “the investment company for the AI revolution.”