Prestigious Apple designer to lead creative vision in AI-powered computer development
Sir Jony Ive, the legendary British designer known for shaping the look and feel of Apple’s most iconic products, is officially joining OpenAI in a transformative partnership aimed at developing a new generation of AI hardware.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed the news, revealing that the AI company is acquiring Ive’s startup, io, in a deal valued at $6.5 billion (£4.7 billion). The move marks a major step in OpenAI’s ambitions to extend beyond software and redefine the physical devices people use to interact with artificial intelligence.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with the greatest designer in the world,” said Altman, noting that the two had already been collaborating quietly for the past two years through Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom.
A New Chapter in Design and AI
Sir Jony Ive will assume “deep design and creative responsibilities” at OpenAI, where his expertise is expected to influence everything from product aesthetics to user experience in future AI-powered computing devices.
Ive, whose legacy includes the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad, said he believed the world is on the “brink of a new generation of technology”, hinting at revolutionary new form factors.
Altman echoed that excitement, stating:
“I think we have the opportunity to completely re-imagine what it means to use a computer.”
He also revealed that he had already tested a prototype of a device being developed by Ive’s team, describing it as “the coolest piece of technology the world will have ever seen.”
Shaping the Future of AI Hardware
OpenAI’s entry into hardware follows a wave of interest in AI-first devices, although many early efforts—including those by startups like Humane AI and Rabbit—have fallen short of consumer expectations.
By bringing on a globally respected design leader like Ive, OpenAI hopes to overcome the hurdles that have plagued previous AI hardware attempts.
“Our ambitions to develop, engineer, and manufacture a new family of products demanded an entirely new company,” said Ive and Altman in a joint statement.
OpenAI previously held a 23% stake in io, the startup Ive co-founded after his initial collaboration with the company.
Strategic Shift in the AI Landscape
Industry analysts say the acquisition highlights OpenAI’s intent to own the next hardware platform, reducing dependence on existing ecosystems like Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android.
Gil Luria, an analyst at DA Davidson, said:
“This is the same ambition Meta has with its Quest headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses.”
The move also comes as tech giants including Apple, Google, and Meta invest heavily in devices powered by AI, such as augmented reality headsets and smart glasses.
Shares of Apple fell more than 2% following the announcement, signaling the market’s recognition of Ive’s lasting influence on product innovation.
A Bold Step into the Future
With this major acquisition, OpenAI continues its expansion beyond text-based AI tools like ChatGPT into search, shopping, and now hardware.
As Sam Altman and Jony Ive combine forces, the tech world is watching closely to see whether this partnership can deliver a truly groundbreaking line of devices that define the future of human-AI interaction.
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