OpenAI Buying io, The AI Hardware Startup Co-Founded By Former Apple Design Chief Jony Ive And Altman Says It Could Redefine How Computers Are Used

OpenAI has been aggressively working towards establishing itself more firmly and extending to varied domains. While the company continues to introduce new models and updates that are more advanced than its previous versions, a new development has come about that emphasizes the company’s intention to go beyond software and bring AI to more hardware experiences. OpenAI is said to now be acquiring a hardware-based AI startup founded by Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive, among many other key engineers to completely revolutionize how computers are used.

OpenAI would be acquiring Jony Ive’s AI hardware company io, with the intention to create a new line of AI-powered devices

Jony Ive has been best known for his service to Apple and helped shape its most iconic products for nearly three decades. His work cannot be ignored, which could have paved the way for one major development that has now come forward. OpenAI is buying one of the AI hardware companies, io, co-founded by Ive. According to a Bloomberg report, Jony Ive would not be joining OpenAI himself, and his design firm, LoveFrom, would continue to be independent.

A deal, however, has been made of about $6.5 billion for LoveFrom to manage the design of all OpenAI products. This ranges from user experiences to software interfaces. Many other key former Apple figures would also be joining OpenAI as part of the acquisition, including Evan Hankey, Tang Tan, and Scott Cannon. This collaboration aims to release its first AI-powered hardware devices in 2026.

Sam Altman and Jony Ive have been in discussion since April about the possibility of a partnership or acquisition. OpenAI shared a video of Sam Altman and Jony Ive speaking about their ambitious goal with the collaboration and how monumental this moment would be. Ive said:

I have a growing sense that everything I have learned over the last 30 years has led me to this moment. While I am both anxious and excited about the responsibility of the substantial work ahead, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an important collaboration. The values and vision of Sam and the teams at OpenAI and io are a rare inspiration. 

Sam Altman pointed out a prototype Jony Ive gave him of their first device to take home for testing and expressed that it was one of the most impressive pieces of technology. He further added that this is their golden opportunity to completely change and revamp what it means to use a computer. OpenAI seems to be working hard to establish itself in the hardware experience putting itself in direct competition with Apple. We are excited to see what this acquisition would bring about and how the first product of these efforts would be.