OpenAI has hardware prototypes, plan device reveal in 2 years or less

“Finally, we have the first prototype,” Altman said in a video posted Monday by Emerson Collective, which invests in entrepreneurs. “I can’t believe how good this work is and how exciting it is.”

Altman was speaking in an onstage discussion with former Apple Design chief Jony Ive and Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs and president and founder of Emerson Collective.

In May, OpenAI acquired Ive’s startup, called io, for $6.4 billion in equity and announced it would create new AI devices. I have taken on design responsibilities on hardware projects. Since then, OpenAI and io have been relatively quiet about the project.

Ive said he hopes to unveil the device in two years or less. He said much of the development process for new hardware is unpredictable.

“Especially in larger companies that value predictability, leaders become really uncomfortable with ambiguity,” Ive said.

Altman declined to answer questions about what exactly OpenAI is building, but said the company is targeting a cool “vibe” with its hardware versus smartphones, which he compared to walking around Times Square.

“Then you can go look for an environment that’s not like walking through Times Square and getting bumped and competing for your attention with all these things,” Altman said. “But, like, sitting in the most beautiful cabin by the lake and in the mountains and enjoying the peace and quiet.”

He said that a smart AI device would be able to work for the user over a long period of time, filter things out and understand when something is important enough to notify the user. Altman said the device would be able to “know everything you’ve ever thought, read, said.”

OpenAI’s hardware plans are being closely monitored by rivals and potential customers alike. including companies Amazon, GoogleAnd meta AI-oriented devices like smart glasses and speakers have been released, but none have been big enough to reshape the hardware industry. Startups are also experimenting with ideas like new device shapes like pendants and giving AI bots a personality.

The launch of a major tool from OpenAI, with ChatGPT being the most used chatbot, could break the impasse, and a successful product could finally put Apple at risk. The iPhone maker has yet to release an AI-specific design, and the company is struggling to improve its long-running AI voice assistant Siri. In March, Apple announced it was delaying Siri improvements until 2026.

Last week, OpenAI said it had struck a deal with Foxconn, which makes many consumer electronics, including Apple. However, the OpenAI deal with Foxconn focuses on building AI infrastructure, and the companies do not mention device manufacturing.

Watch: OpenAI approaches Foxconn to build AI hardware in the US