OpenAI and celebrated designer Jony Ive are set to launch a groundbreaking artificial intelligence hardware product, with mass production scheduled to commence in 2027.
This marks a pivotal step in OpenAI’s evolution from a purely software-centric AI company to a player in consumer hardware. Partnering with Jony Ive, the former Apple Chief Design Officer and the visionary behind iconic devices like the iPhone and iPod, the initiative promises to reshape how people interact with intelligent systems in daily life.
According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the AI device will begin full-scale production in the first half of 2027, following initial testing and limited releases expected in 2026. This ambitious timeline aligns with OpenAI’s strategy to expand its AI influence beyond software applications like ChatGPT into the physical world. The company envisions a new category of device—one that does not rely on screens or traditional user interfaces, but instead fosters an ambient and intuitive user experience.
The hardware itself is said to be minimalist in design, continuing the legacy of elegance and simplicity that Jony Ive has become synonymous with. Described by some insiders as reminiscent of the iPod Shuffle in terms of form factor, the device is expected to be small, wearable, and devoid of a screen. It will feature an array of sensors, cameras, and microphones to engage with its surroundings and interpret user needs contextually. This shift away from visual interfaces to audio and environmental sensing indicates a paradigm change in how humans may come to rely on AI—less as tools to be commanded, and more as companions embedded in the rhythm of daily life.
The device will not function as a standalone computing system. Instead, it is designed to offload computational processing and visual output to external devices like smartphones and PCs. This allows the AI hardware to remain lightweight, power-efficient, and cost-effective while integrating seamlessly into the user’s digital ecosystem. The AI model powering the device will likely be one of OpenAI’s latest, enabling real-time assistance, reminders, information retrieval, and other contextual functions with minimal friction.
What makes this project particularly notable is the convergence of OpenAI’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence and Jony Ive’s unparalleled approach to design. Ive’s post-Apple design firm, LoveFrom, has already partnered with major players like Airbnb and Ferrari, but the collaboration with OpenAI appears to be among its most ambitious. Reports suggest that OpenAI has made a significant investment in the project, acquiring Jony Ive’s AI-focused hardware startup “io” for approximately \$6.5 billion. The acquisition not only brings Ive’s design talent in-house but also signals OpenAI’s serious intent to lead in the AI hardware space.
CEO Sam Altman has been personally involved in the project, with sources revealing that he has been testing early prototypes. He is said to view the device as potentially “the coolest piece of technology the world will have ever seen.” Such bold declarations underscore the company’s confidence in the concept, even as the actual features remain closely guarded. What is clear, however, is that OpenAI sees this device as more than just a gadget—it is a step toward a future where artificial intelligence is seamlessly woven into human environments and routines.
One of the key differentiators of this upcoming product is its focus on screenless interaction. In a world saturated with glowing rectangles—phones, tablets, laptops—OpenAI and Ive are pursuing a vision where the AI assistant fades into the background. The device listens, observes, and responds in real time, almost like an invisible guide or companion. It can suggest directions when the user is walking, offer reminders during conversations, or quietly provide information based on ambient cues, all without the user having to reach for a screen or type a query.
To realize this vision at scale, OpenAI is also making strategic decisions about where the device will be manufactured. In an effort to minimize geopolitical risk and reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains, the company is reportedly looking at alternative assembly hubs, with Vietnam emerging as a likely candidate. This move reflects broader industry trends, as many tech firms seek to diversify their manufacturing operations amidst global uncertainties.
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