OpenAI and Jony Ive are Designing the AI Device of the Future

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has partnered with Apple’s iconic designer Jony Ive to develop a groundbreaking AI-powered device poised to revolutionize how humans interact with technology. According to OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, the gadget aims to replace smartphones entirely, ditching touchscreens and keyboards in favor of voice-first interaction.

In an interview with The Elec, Altman revealed details about the ambitious project:

This vision aligns with broader industry trends. Meta has already sold over a million units of its Ray-Ban smart glasses with built-in voice assistants, while CES 2025 showcased a wave of ChatGPT-integrated gadgets. However, OpenAI’s goal is bolder: creating a standalone device that doesn’t just complement smartphones but renders them obsolete.

Though design specifics remain under wraps, insiders confirm the gadget will avoid replicating existing formats—no glasses, no pocket-sized projectors à la the flopped Humane AI Pin or Rabbit R1. Ive, the mastermind behind the iPhone and MacBook, is reportedly crafting something “fundamentally unlike a phone.” Analysts speculate the device could blend minimalist design, wearable form factors, and deep ChatGPT integration, adapting to users’ needs in real time.

OpenAI isn’t stopping at software. Altman confirmed the development of custom microchips tailored for AI devices, which would optimize energy efficiency and processing speeds—critical for seamless voice control. Still, the CEO cautioned that even a prototype is years away.While it’s too early to predict whether OpenAI’s gamble will succeed, one thing is clear: the race to define the post-smartphone era has officially begun.