Jony Ive Confirms Involvement In AI Hardware Project With OpenAI

Former head of Apple design, Jony Ive (photo: x @JonErlichman)

JAKARTA - Former Apple's design chief, Jony Ive, has officially confirmed his involvement in the artificial intelligence hardware project (AI) with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. This confirmation comes in a profile published by The New York Times, ending speculation that has been circulating for nearly a year regarding the collaboration between the two figures.

The AI hardware project is reportedly funded by Ive and Emerson Collective, a company founded by Laurene Powell Jobs. According to the report, the project has the potential to receive funding of up to $1 billion by the end of the year, which shows great interest from investors.

Despite being led by big figures, the project is still in its early stages, with only 10 employees involved. However, this team includes former well-known Apple designers such as Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, who have worked closely with Ive in the development of the iPhone. Ive's design firm, LoveFrom, leads the design process of the device.

The collaboration between Ive and Altman is reportedly starting with a discussion on the potential of a generating AI to allow new types of computing devices. The ability of this technology in dealing with complex demand is considered a key factor in creating new user experiences that go beyond traditional software capabilities.

Despite specific details about this AI product and its launch schedule remain undisclosed, the team already has a large office in San Francisco, with an area of 32,000 square feet, which is part of Ive's 90 million US dollar real estate acquisition. in one city block.

This project marks the involvement of Ive's biggest technology since leaving Apple in 2019. After leaving his position as head of design, Ive continued working with Apple as a consultant through LoveFrom until 2022, when the partnership ended.