After months of speculation, legendary former Apple designer Jony Ive, known for his work on iconic devices like the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and MacBook, has confirmed that he is collaborating with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, on a hardware project based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news has caused a stir in the tech sector, given the caliber of those involved and the potential impact of this new development on the world of technology.
While details of the project are scarce, it is known that renowned industrial designer Marc Newson is also part of the team working on the device. Newson, who has closely collaborated with Ive on various Apple projects, stated that the product specifications and launch date have not yet been finalized.
Currently, the hardware development team consists of about 10 employees, including prominent names like Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, both collaborators with Ive during the creation of the iPhone. They all work from an office of approximately 3,000 square meters, located in San Francisco, part of a property that Ive acquired for 90 million dollars.
The project is being financed by Ive’s company, LoveFrom, in collaboration with Emerson Collective, an organization led by Laurene Powell Jobs. According to sources, the goal is to raise up to 1 billion dollars by the end of this year, an ambitious figure that reflects the magnitude of the vision that Ive and Altman are developing. However, it has not been mentioned whether SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has decided to invest 1 billion dollars, as rumored last year.
A device inspired by AI and Ive’s disruptive design
Although concrete information about the new device has not been revealed, it has been confirmed that LoveFrom is leading its design with the aim of creating a product that uses AI to enhance computing experience without negatively altering social interactions, a common criticism of modern smartphones like the iPhone. According to previous statements, the device could be inspired by the touch technology that marked the first generation of the iPhone, suggesting that it will be an innovation in terms of the user-machine interface.
This approach has a touch of Ive’s vision of making technology more “human” and less intrusive in daily life, a concept that has been recurrent in his design philosophy. In a world increasingly dominated by smartphones and their constant notifications, the idea of a device that harmonizes better with users’ social life could prove to be an extremely attractive proposition for consumers.
Altman, OpenAI’s innovative touch
Sam Altman, on the other hand, brings his experience as CEO of OpenAI, the organization behind revolutionary advances in AI such as ChatGPT, indicating that artificial intelligence will be an integral part of this new device. Although the specific functions of AI in the project have not been detailed yet, it is possible that this will be a product that combines hardware and software in a completely innovative way, offering a more intuitive and natural experience for users.
The combination of Ive’s design expertise and Altman’s leadership in AI promises a groundbreaking product that could revolutionize the way we interact with technology. Some experts already speculate that the device could have applications in both personal and professional realms, given Altman’s focus on AI as a tool capable of enhancing productivity without being invasive.
Expectations and speculation surrounding the launch
Although there is no set launch date, interest in this project is steadily increasing. The combination of talent behind the device has generated a high level of anticipation in the industry, and many analysts believe that this product could be a turning point in consumer technology.
Furthermore, the collaboration between Ive and Altman reinforces the idea that the future of computing will not only be determined by software advances, but also by the design of hardware that will facilitate that interaction. If the device lives up to expectations, we could be entering a new era where AI and human-centric design come together to offer technological solutions that truly respect users’ everyday lives.
For now, details remain limited, but what is clear is that this project has already captured the attention of the world.