Sam Altman’s $6.5 billion purchase might deliver an “iPhone of artificial intelligence” from OpenAI before Apple. Here’s how.

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For some time now, it’s been common knowledge that Sam Altman has been collaborating extensively with Apple’s legendary designer Jony Ive. The specifics of their collaboration have yet to be revealed, but OpenAI’s CEO hinted that working with this design maestro could bring about a technological disruption as significant as the introduction of the iPhone in 2007.

It’s not a shocker that OpenAI recently revealed it has purchased Ive’s AI device startup, io, for approximately $6.5 billion. This acquisition gives OpenAI a distinct advantage when competing against tech titans such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Samsung in the hardware sector, particularly with devices powered by artificial intelligence.

OpenAI’s acquisition of Windsurf for $3 billion marks one of its largest investments, enhancing the coding abilities of its AI models. The company behind ChatGPT has seen great success in the AI field, with ChatGPT being widely adopted globally. However, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella suggests that OpenAI had a two-year advantage to develop ChatGPT without significant competition.

After acquiring io, the AI company can now not only create AI-driven gadgets but additionally tap into Jony Ive’s expertise and his group of ex-Apple design professionals, who primarily specialize in this field.

Despite delays in Apple’s ambitious AI project, Apple Intelligence, it’s important to note that the iPhone continues to be one of the world’s most renowned devices, boasting a massive global user base.

It’s intriguing to anticipate what Altman and Jony Ive might create in the coming years, potentially launching around 2026. During an interview with Bloomberg, Sam Altman hinted that their initial project may not directly challenge Apple’s iPhone as its primary focus.

Just as a smartphone hasn’t replaced the laptop entirely, I don’t believe our invention will eliminate smartphones completely. Instead, it represents an entirely novel concept.

For the first time, Jony has lent me a prototype of his device to use at home. Living with it, I believe it’s one of the most amazing technological innovations the world has yet to witness.

OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman

As an analyst, based on a report by The Wall Street Journal, it appears that OpenAI and Jony Ive’s LoveFrom have been collaborating on the development of headphones and devices incorporating cameras over the past two years. Remarkably, Ive himself mentioned that the initial product they jointly developed has captured our collective imagination entirely.

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2025-05-22 01:09