A ChatGPT Screenless Phone Could Be Coming, as OpenAI Reportedly Eyes Jony Ive’s AI Startup

ChatGPT maker OpenAI is reportedly trying into a possible acquisition of a man-made intelligence startup co-founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The deal may exceed $500 million, based on The Info.

The enterprise, known as io Merchandise, is growing a variety of AI-powered applied sciences together with a screenless telephone idea and good house units, the publication stated. io Merchandise has denied {that a} telephone is in growth, nevertheless, and OpenAI did not reply to a request for remark.

The intently guarded AI {hardware} initiative was first reported by The New York Instances in September. Ive — who’s famend for designing the iPhone, iPad and different iconic Apple merchandise — stated he was partnering with Altman to create a brand new AI-driven computing system aimed toward being “much less socially disruptive than the iPhone.”

Though few specifics have emerged concerning the system, Ive and Altman have reportedly secured early-stage backing from buyers, together with Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Funding was anticipated to succeed in $1 billion by the tip of final yr, based on The New York Instances.

Along with acquisition talks, OpenAI is claimed to be exploring strategic partnerships with the enterprise. If a deal materializes, OpenAI would acquire entry to each the underlying know-how and the core engineering workforce.

The report arrives because the AI voice assistant panorama grows, with OpenAI, Google, Meta and others racing to advance their AI chatbot choices. A deal may additionally tighten OpenAI’s integration with a {hardware} participant.

Ive’s design agency, LoveFrom — based after his departure from Apple 5 years in the past — is spearheading the system’s growth. The corporate, co-founded by famend luxurious designer Marc Newson, a key contributor to the Apple Watch, contains former Apple executives corresponding to Tang Tan, who led iPhone {hardware} design. LoveFrom’s shopper record contains manufacturers like Airbnb and Ferrari.

OpenAI would ‘preserve its lead’ in AI

Jitesh Ubrani, a supervisor at market analysis agency IDC, advised CNET a transfer into {hardware} would allow OpenAI to proceed increasing throughout varied platforms and make a stronger push into extra environments.

“By partnering with a {hardware} startup, OpenAI can assist preserve its lead throughout these different system sorts and utilization eventualities,” Ubrani stated. “Till the launch of AI, good house {hardware} innovation [started] to plateau and by combining forces, the 2 firms may additionally profit from development on this house by injecting AI into the house.”