OpenAI, renowned for its advancements in artificial intelligence, has embarked on a groundbreaking hardware venture in collaboration with Jony Ive, the celebrated designer behind Apple’s iconic products. This partnership aims to develop innovative AI-integrated devices that transcend traditional computing paradigms.
The Genesis of the Collaboration
In May 2025, OpenAI announced the acquisition of io Products, a hardware startup co-founded by Jony Ive, in a deal valued at approximately $6.5 billion. This strategic move signified OpenAI’s commitment to integrating AI into consumer hardware, leveraging Ive’s unparalleled design expertise. Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom, will maintain its independence while assuming significant design and creative responsibilities across OpenAI and io Products. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/openai-acquire-jony-ives-hardware-startup-io-products-2025-05-21/?utm_source=openai))
Vision for the AI Hardware
The collaboration between OpenAI and Ive is centered on creating a third core device that complements existing technologies like the MacBook and iPhone. This device is envisioned to be fully aware of a user’s surroundings, unobtrusive, and capable of resting in one’s pocket or on a desk. Notably, it is not intended to be a wearable device, such as in-ear gadgets or smart glasses, reflecting Ive’s skepticism towards wearable technology. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/22/jony-ive-openai-product-third-core-device/?utm_source=openai))
Legal Challenges and Trademark Dispute
The project faced a legal hurdle when IYO, a startup developing AI hardware, filed a trademark complaint against OpenAI’s use of the io brand. IYO argued that the branding was confusingly similar to its own. A federal judge ruled in favor of IYO, ordering OpenAI to halt marketing under the io name until a hearing scheduled for October. In response, OpenAI removed references to the io brand from its website, replacing them with a notice about the court order. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/39c18d183f8fb8d0ec3af38ffa61ff7d?utm_source=openai))
Design Philosophy and Product Development
Despite the legal challenges, OpenAI and Ive continue to focus on developing a device that integrates AI seamlessly into daily life. The product is designed to be ambient and always available, emphasizing voice and gesture-based interfaces over traditional screens. This approach aims to reduce screen dependency and promote more natural interactions with technology. ([9meters.com](https://9meters.com/technology/ai/who-owns-open-ai?utm_source=openai))
The device is expected to be compact, potentially worn around the neck like a pendant, and entirely screenless. It will feature built-in microphones and cameras to understand the user’s environment and needs in real-time, leveraging OpenAI’s latest AI models to act as a personalized assistant with deep memory and adaptive learning capabilities. ([9meters.com](https://9meters.com/technology/ai/who-owns-open-ai?utm_source=openai))
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
The collaboration between OpenAI and Jony Ive represents a significant shift in the tech industry, signaling a move towards AI-driven hardware that prioritizes user experience and ethical design. By focusing on creating devices that are less intrusive and more intuitive, this partnership aims to redefine how users interact with technology.
As the project progresses, it will be interesting to see how OpenAI and Ive navigate the challenges of developing a new category of AI-integrated devices, especially in light of the ongoing legal disputes. The outcome of the October hearing will likely have significant implications for the branding and marketing strategies of the new products.
In conclusion, OpenAI’s venture into AI hardware, guided by Jony Ive’s design philosophy, has the potential to revolutionize the tech landscape. By creating devices that seamlessly integrate AI into daily life while minimizing screen dependency, this collaboration could set a new standard for human-centric technology design.
