Jony Ive and OpenAI's Sam Altman Team Up for Groundbreaking AI Hardware Project
Former Apple Design Chief Jony Ive Confirms AI Hardware Collaboration with OpenAI CEO
In a recent profile published by The New York Times, renowned designer Jony Ive has officially confirmed his collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on an ambitious AI hardware project. This confirmation comes nearly a year after initial reports of their partnership first surfaced.
The project, which remains largely shrouded in mystery, brings together two of the tech industry’s most influential figures. Ive, known for his iconic designs at Apple, met Altman through Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. The venture is reportedly funded by Ive and the Emerson Collective, a company founded by Laurene Powell Jobs.
According to The New York Times, the project could potentially secure up to $1 billion in funding by the end of the year. However, the report did not mention the previously rumored $1 billion investment from SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son.
The project’s team currently consists of 10 employees, including key figures such as Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, both former colleagues of Ive from his time working on the iPhone. Ive’s company, LoveFrom, is spearheading the device’s design from a spacious 32,000-square-foot office in San Francisco, part of a $90 million real estate acquisition by Ive.
While specific details about the device remain undisclosed, Ive and Altman have reportedly discussed the potential of generative AI in creating new computing devices with capabilities beyond traditional software. Last year’s rumors suggested the project drew inspiration from touchscreen technology and the original iPhone.
Marc Newson, cofounder of LoveFrom, stated that the timeline for the AI product’s development and market release is still being determined. As the tech world eagerly awaits more information, this collaboration between design and AI expertise continues to fuel speculation about the future of consumer technology.
