Sam Altman, the CEO of the company behind ChatGPT and DALL-E, is reportedly collaborating on a highly confidential artificial intelligence computing project with former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Ive, known for designing the iPhone and iPad among various Apple products, is joining forces with Altman, head of OpenAI, to develop a new AI-driven computing device intended to be "less socially disruptive than the iPhone, " as stated by The New York Times. Details about the AI device remain scarce; however, Ive and Altman have already secured funding for the initiative from investors, including Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Reports suggest that funding could reach as much as $1 billion by year’s end. The development of the AI-enabled device is being handled by Ive's design firm, LoveFrom, which he co-founded five years ago after leaving Apple. The firm, co-founded with renowned luxury designer Marc Newson, who contributed to the Apple Watch, employs several former Apple executives, including Tang Tan, who was involved in iPhone development. LoveFrom collaborates with various clients, such as Airbnb and Ferrari. Newson informed the Times that "what the product will be and when it will launch are still under consideration. " The partnership between Ive and Altman began through a series of dinners where they explored the capabilities of generative AI and its applications in computing devices, the report indicates. AI-Enabled Devices The notion of an AI-enabled device arises following the release this year of several similar devices that have yet to gain traction.

The $700 Humane AI pin, designed to transform surfaces, including one’s hand, into a mobile display, received mixed reviews, and reports indicate that many customers are returning the product. The $199 Rabbit R1 handheld device, which utilizes AI for task completion, also did not meet expectations. In contrast, major companies like Google and Samsung are incorporating generative AI features into their smartphone offerings. Recently, Apple launched its new iPhone 16 devices, with the company’s Apple Intelligence features expected to roll out in the coming weeks and months. At a juncture when mobile devices are a significant source of distraction, a device that provides a more mindful, less intrusive experience could attract consumer interest. Neither LoveFrom nor OpenAI provided immediate comments in response to inquiries.