OpenAI has officially announced the acquisition of io, the hardware and design company founded by legendary former Apple designer Jony Ive, aimed at developing a new generation of devices optimized for artificial intelligence use. The deal, valued at approximately $6.5 billion, represents a strategic move to bring generative AI into the physical realm through products that seamlessly integrate software, sensors, and industrial design.
From Conceptual Collaboration to Full Integration
The relationship between OpenAI and Jony Ive began two years ago as a creative collaboration through the studio LoveFrom. This partnership led to the creation of io, a new design company focusing on physical products with AI capabilities, founded in 2024 by Ive along with three key former Apple employees: Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan.
Now, io is formally integrating into OpenAI. Over 50 experts in hardware, advanced manufacturing, and user experience are joining the AI company’s technical teams. Meanwhile, Ive will continue to lead design through LoveFrom, which will take on key creative responsibilities at both OpenAI and io, including hardware design, interfaces, and future products.
“AI requires tools that sit between technology and people. No one understands that connection as Jony and his team do,” explained Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
Beyond the Smartphone: Towards New Forms of Interaction
While some rumors suggested that io was working on a smartphone replacement, sources close to the project have confirmed that the developing devices are not intended to compete with current mobile phones but rather explore new product categories, such as peripherals with sensors, cameras, and spatial awareness capabilities that facilitate the use of models like GPT directly from the user’s environment.
These products are aimed at capturing, interpreting, and responding to the physical context in real time, with a focus on a natural user experience and the seamless integration of generative AI into everyday life.
Production Underway and First Launches in 2026
The new unit formed from this merger is already working together in San Francisco, aiming to have the first devices ready for market by 2026. Although details about these products remain under wraps, they are expected to involve a combination of minimalist hardware with advanced interaction capabilities—such as computer vision, audio, natural language processing, and privacy management—to enable new forms of ubiquitous computing.
OpenAI and io’s approach moves away from the traditional product concept to focus on creating discreet, useful, and intuitive tools, with industrial design reminiscent of Apple’s philosophy, but built on an infrastructure powered by artificial intelligence.
A Strategic Move with Industrial Impact
The acquisition not only expands OpenAI’s technical and design capabilities but also strengthens its autonomy in hardware, a crucial point as companies like Apple, Google, Meta, and Humane develop their own AI-integrated devices.
Additionally, the team from io brings top-notch expertise in product manufacturing, a key area for turning prototypes into scalable devices with Apple-quality standards.
For Ive, the acquisition represents a natural continuation of his career:
“I feel that everything I have learned over the past decades has prepared me for this moment. It is a privilege to collaborate with teams that understand the value of design as a catalyst for technology,” expressed the British designer in a joint statement.
In summary, OpenAI not only expands its team with one of the world’s most recognized design groups but also accelerates its ability to bring artificial intelligence from the cloud and desktops into physical devices designed for a new era of contextual computing.