Jony Ive Confirms Collaboration with OpenAI on Hardware Project
Jony Ive, the renowned designer and former Chief Design Officer at Apple, has confirmed that he is working on a new device in collaboration with OpenAI. This announcement comes a year after various outlets reported on his partnership with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman regarding a hardware initiative. The confirmation was made as part of a profile published by the New York Times.
Details about the project remain sparse, but it is known that Ive was introduced to Altman by Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb. The endeavor is being financed by both Ive and Emerson Collective, the organization founded by Laurene Powell Jobs. According to the New York Times, funding could potentially reach $1 billion by the year’s end. Notably, there is no mention of Masay Son, CEO of SoftBank, who was rumored last year to have invested $1 billion in this venture.
Currently, the project employs just ten individuals, among them Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, who were instrumental in the development of the iPhone alongside Ive. Regarding the nature of the device, last year’s speculation suggested it would draw inspiration from touchscreen technology and the original iPhone, aligning with the expertise of Tan and Hankey.
Mr. Altman and Mr. Ive discussed how generative AI has enabled the creation of a novel computing device. This technology offers users capabilities beyond what conventional software provides, such as summarizing and prioritizing communications, recognizing and labeling objects like plants, and handling more complex tasks like making travel arrangements.
While there is no set timeline for when further details about the project will be unveiled, the information shared in the New York Times resonates with those who have been tracking advancements in the AI hardware sector over the past year. The collaboration between Jony Ive and OpenAI is seen as a significant step forward in integrating AI technology into innovative hardware solutions.
source:https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/21/24250867/jony-ive-confirms-collaboration-openai-hardware
