Is the ‘iPhone of AI’ About to Launch? Altman Teams Up with ‘iPhone Father’ Jony Ive to Fund New AI Device Company

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has teamed up with former Apple design chief Jony Ive to launch a mysterious AI hardware company that is currently seeking external investments. Reports indicate that Ive aims to raise up to $1 billion and has been in discussions with Emerson Collective, led by Laurene Powell Jobs, as well as Thrive Capital, a major investor in OpenAI.

Jony Ive departed from Apple in 2019 to establish his own design studio, LoveFrom. Known as one of Apple's key designers, the details surrounding this new company's funding and whether OpenAI will participate remain unclear. SoftBank's CEO, Masayoshi Son, has maintained contact with Altman and Ive since the company's inception, but his level of involvement has yet to be confirmed.

While investors are exercising caution in backing this venture, the impressive track records of Ive and Altman suggest that the company could fetch a high initial valuation. Currently in its startup phase, the company faces challenges associated with launching in a field that lacks established physical products.

Media reports suggest that Ive is developing AI devices distinct from traditional smartphones. These products are expected to integrate ARM chips, Apple hardware, and OpenAI software, delivering a unique, screenless AI experience for users.

In the market, tech companies are racing to develop new hardware that integrates AI capabilities. Humane has recently unveiled a wearable device equipped with a camera, microphone, and speakers, along with a product named Rabbit, which enhances cross-application efficiency for users. Notably, Altman is also a significant investor in Humane.

Major language model developers like OpenAI, Google, and Meta Platforms are working to enhance their models in various domains, including image recognition, painting, and gesture identification, pushing the integration of technology into wearable devices like smart glasses.

Experts believe that the overarching goal of these efforts is to create AI assistants reminiscent of those depicted in science fiction, capable of assisting students with essay writing or math problems, as well as providing contextual information upon request.