OpenAI Targets 100M AI Devices to Redefine Human-AI Interaction

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design chief Jony Ive are reportedly developing a pocket-sized, screen-free AI device that could redefine how users interact with technology.

Details from a leaked internal call suggest the device, designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life, is neither a smartphone nor wearable tech like glasses—two formats Ive explicitly ruled out.

Instead, it is envisioned as a third essential gadget, intended to sit unobtrusively alongside a phone and laptop or slip easily into a pocket.

The device will be contextually aware, using built-in microphones and cameras to understand its environment and the user’s behaviour.

Altman described it as a next-generation AI “companion,” marking a bold shift toward screenless interaction.

OpenAI aims to ship 100 million units by late 2026, with expectations that it could become one of the fastest-adopted tech products ever released.

The project reflects a shared ambition between Altman and Ive to move beyond screen dependency.

Ive has cited a desire to address the unintended consequences of the iPhone—technology that demands constant attention.

He called the initiative a “new design movement,” alluding to the minimalism and functional elegance that defined his tenure at Apple.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculated the device could resemble a refined, necklace-worn version of Humane’s AI pin—possibly as compact as an iPod Shuffle—with the ability to connect to smartphones and computers for extended capabilities.

While much about the device remains under wraps, its blend of discretion, intelligence, and design ambition is already fueling excitement about what could be a transformative leap in AI-native hardware.

Pocket-Sized AI Device Already in Prototype Stage

Altman has publicly confirmed that the AI device developed by Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom (also referred to as "io"), has reached the prototype stage—revealing that he has already taken one home to test in real-world conditions.

In a recent internal meeting, Altman reportedly expressed his ambition to bring the device to market by late 2026.

During the same discussion, he suggested that acquiring Ive’s company could eventually contribute as much as $1 trillion in value to OpenAI, underscoring the strategic significance he places on the project.

Before OpenAI’s involvement, Ive was reportedly seeking $1 billion in funding to bring the device to life.

High-profile investors—including Laurene Powell Jobs—are believed to have backed the venture, signalling broad interest in what could become a transformative leap in AI-driven hardware.

Altman and Ive’s Partnership Deal

In September, Ive confirmed he was collaborating with OpenAI on a new hardware project, though specific details have remained tightly guarded to prevent competitors from gaining an early edge.

That secrecy has now given way to a major reveal: OpenAI has officially acquired “io”—the AI hardware startup co-founded by Ive and Altman—for $6.5 billion.

The acquisition marks a significant strategic move.

Ive’s firm, which included several former senior Apple designers such as Evans Hankey, Scott Cannon, and Tang Tan, was backed by Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective.

Although Ive himself will not join OpenAI, his hardware team—including engineers, designers, and manufacturing experts—will integrate with OpenAI’s product and research divisions in San Francisco.

Altman said:

“Thrilled to be partnering with Jony, imo the greatest designer in the world. Excited to try to create a new generation of AI-powered computers.”

Software developers from io will also be absorbed into OpenAI.

Publicly, OpenAI has shared a video highlighting its partnership with Ive but has yet to disclose specifics about the product.

Internally, Altman and Ive have begun offering staff subtle hints about the device’s capabilities, heightening anticipation around what could be a groundbreaking addition to OpenAI’s portfolio.

The acquisition comes amidst soaring growth for OpenAI.

As of May 2025, ChatGPT boasted nearly 800 million weekly active users.

These surging adoption rates helped push OpenAI’s valuation from $157 billion in late 2024 to an estimated $300 billion by March 2025—solidifying its status as a dominant force in the AI industry.