The designer behind the iPhone is now shaping OpenAI’s future.
In a $6.4 billion fairness deal, OpenAI has acquired the startup io, the {hardware} enterprise led by legendary Apple designer Jony Ive. The mastermind behind the iPhone and MacBook, Ive is not going to be part of OpenAI as an worker, however his group will assume a inventive position throughout the firm, shaping the appear and feel of future AI-powered {hardware}. His design consultancy, LoveFrom, will stay impartial.
The deal, solely funded via fairness, is OpenAI’s largest acquisition to this point and represents a notable shift from its prior deal with partnerships and software program licensing. It permits the tech big to realize full management over the design and growth of devoted AI-native gadgets.
“Thrilled to be partnering with Jony, in my view the best designer on the planet,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on X. “Excited to attempt to create a brand new technology of AI-powered computer systems.”
OpenAI’s strategic shift into {hardware}
Based on Axios, the transfer will convey all 55 io workers into OpenAI, the place they are going to kind a brand new {hardware} division below VP of Product Peter Welinder. The unit will likely be primarily based in San Francisco and work intently with OpenAI’s analysis and engineering groups.
OpenAI and Ive haven’t disclosed particular product plans; nevertheless, the acquisition is predicted to end in a tool that reimagines how individuals work together with AI. Studies counsel the primary product — probably launching as early as 2026 — may transfer away from the standard smartphone format and as an alternative function a voice-forward, always-on interface powered by OpenAI’s giant language fashions.
Excessive stakes, massive competitors
The deal, introduced in an OpenAI weblog put up, lands at a vital second within the AI {hardware} race.
Apple lately revealed plans to combine ChatGPT into its Siri assistant, and startups like Rabbit are already exploring AI-first devices. OpenAI’s huge funding in Ive and io signifies a transparent intention to guide on this rising area — and to form how individuals expertise AI of their day by day lives.
Wall Road reacted swiftly: Apple shares dipped practically 2% following the announcement, reflecting market nervousness over new competitors within the shopper AI area.
The market’s response underscores simply how severely traders are taking OpenAI’s {hardware} ambitions and the potential for Ive to as soon as once more assist reshape a complete trade.