OpenAI is teaming up with Jony Ive, the iconic designer behind the iPhone, to create a new generation of devices centered around artificial intelligence—one that could ultimately replace your smartphone.
When news broke that OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, had acquired the startup io Products for a staggering €6.5 billion, it sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley. This move, led by Sam Altman, was more than just a strategic acquisition. It marked the beginning of a bold new vision to reshape the relationship between humans and technology. The company’s new mission is clear: to create a line of devices designed from the ground up for generative AI, potentially replacing the smartphone as we know it.
In a quiet yet ambitious meeting at a San Francisco café, Altman and Jony Ive, the mastermind behind Apple’s most iconic products, revealed their plan. Their goal is to craft a next-gen device where artificial intelligence is not just a feature, but the very foundation of the design. Instead of relying on a touchscreen interface, this device would emphasize voice, gesture, and contextual interactions, making AI the core of the user experience.
AI-Powered Devices: The Next Evolution
Altman has expressed that the future of technology requires something beyond just a “web browser and keyboard.” What they envision is a radical departure from the current smartphone model—something more intuitive, seamless, and engaging. This device is not meant to be a mere gadget but a central hub for interaction with generative AI.
Think of it as a small, sleek, always-on companion that integrates seamlessly into your life. This prototype, which Ive’s team has been working on for the past two years, has been described by Altman as “one of the coolest tech devices the world has ever seen,” although no specific details have been revealed. The focus is on creating an object that enhances natural, constant interaction with AI, possibly with embedded sensors and cameras that adapt to the user’s environment.
The project aims to make AI more integrated and accessible—more than just a voice assistant or app, it would represent a true partnership between technology and the human user.
The AI Pin: A Failed Precedent
While the concept of AI-powered devices is certainly not new, previous attempts to replace the smartphone have faltered. One such attempt was the AI Pin from the startup Humane. While it had a promising idea of creating a non-screen device that focused on voice and AI interaction, it ultimately failed due to incomplete technology, high pricing, and limited compatibility.
However, the AI Pin was not a total loss—it helped pave the way for the development of future post-smartphone alternatives, where the emphasis shifts from the screen to a more fluid and natural relationship with technology. Altman himself recognizes that to make generative AI a true part of daily life, it needs a physical form that’s more integrated and less addictive than a typical smartphone.
The collaboration between Jony Ive and OpenAI takes a page out of the design principles that made the iPhone and iMac household names. With Ive’s expertise and Altman’s vision for AI, the hope is to build something entirely new—a device that transforms how we interact with machines, offering a more intuitive, user-centered experience.
A New Face-Off: Apple vs. OpenAI
This move is a direct challenge to Apple, which has been relatively slow in integrating generative AI into its products. Apple, once a pioneer in design, now faces a formidable rival in OpenAI, a company on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence. The competition is shaping up to be a strategic battle, with Apple’s design legacy on one side and OpenAI’s AI-driven innovation on the other.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The goal is not to improve upon existing technologies but to reinvent the very concept of the human-machine interface. This is a game-changing approach that could drastically alter how we think about and use technology.
As we look toward the future, it’s clear that the combination of Jony Ive’s design genius and OpenAI’s breakthrough AI could lead to the next evolution in personal technology. If successful, this new device could not only replace smartphones but also redefine the role of artificial intelligence in our daily lives, making it a natural, seamless extension of ourselves.
