Former Apple VP of Industrial Design, Jony Ive, is reportedly collaborating with OpenAI to develop what has been described as the “iPhone of artificial intelligence.” The project has received $1 billion in funding from Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son and aims to create a more natural and intuitive way of interacting with AI. While ChatGPT can be used on devices like laptops and iPhones, Ive’s project seeks to design hardware specifically tailored to AI functionalities. The venture ultimately hopes to reduce reliance on screens for computer interaction, with examples such as Humana’s screenless wearable AI gadget cited as inspiration.
Ive, who left Apple in 2019 after three decades with the company, is known for his influential role in the physical designs of iconic Apple products such as the iMac, iPhone, and iPad. Since his departure, Ive has taken on various projects, including designing Apple Watch watch faces. However, collaborating with OpenAI on AI hardware is considered his most significant venture since leaving Apple. The partnership aims to leverage Ive’s design expertise and OpenAI’s AI capabilities to create innovative hardware solutions that reimagine the way users interact with computers.
The project is still in its early planning stages but has garnered substantial financial backing and the expertise of two industry leaders. By merging Ive’s design prowess with OpenAI’s AI technology, the collaboration seeks to push the boundaries of AI integration into hardware and potentially revolutionize computer interaction by providing users with a more seamless and screenless experience. With the goal of developing the “iPhone of artificial intelligence,” this ambitious project could potentially lead to groundbreaking advancements in AI hardware and user interfaces.