OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is embarking on an ambitious project to create an AI-first device that aims to be as transformative as the iPhone, while promoting tranquility rather than adding to users’ stress. To bring this vision to life, Altman has enlisted the expertise of Jony Ive, the famed designer behind the original iPhone.
During a recent interview with Ive at Emerson Collective’s Demo Day, Altman revealed that this long-anticipated device, first hinted at in May following OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s startup, io, is expected to launch within the next two years. He shared that initial prototypes are already in development and may diverge significantly from conventional tech designs.
This intriguing device is positioned as an opposite to standard smartphones. While specific details about its appearance remain under wraps—whether it will feature a traditional screen or take inspiration from wearable technology like the AI ‘Friend’ necklace—Altman noted that those who have previewed it are taken aback by its straightforwardness.
Altman expressed a strong desire to alleviate the overwhelming distractions typical of modern devices. He compared current technology usage to navigating through the chaos of Times Square, filled with overwhelming stimuli and distractions. “It’s an unsettling thing,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for a technology that fosters a serene experience rather than one that heightens anxiety. He envisions that using the new device will feel like “sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake and in the mountains and sort of just enjoying the peace and calm.”
In a nod to the anticipated functionality, the new device is expected to utilize contextual awareness to streamline user experience—filtering information based on when it’s necessary to engage users and when it should remain discreet. “You trust it over time, and it does have just this incredible contextual awareness of your whole life,” Altman stated.
With Jony Ive at the helm of design, OpenAI is hopeful for a product that captures the simplicity and user-friendliness seen in Apple’s iconic range, including the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Ive himself shared his affinity for solutions that evoke a sense of elegance and simplicity—qualities that could redefine user interaction with technology.
The development of this device signifies a potential shift in how technology is integrated into daily life, emphasizing ease and tranquility over constant connectivity and distraction, a vision that resonates during a time when many seek a reprieve from the overload of modern tech.