Sam Altman’s OpenAI has reportedly thought of shopping for a startup run by former Apple design guru Jony Ive for no less than $500 million.
Ive — finest identified for working with late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on lots of firm’s most iconic product designs, together with the iPhone — has been collaborating with Altman on creating an AI-powered {hardware} gadget for the startup, often known as io Merchandise, since 2023.
Now, the ChatGPT maker has mentioned a “full acquisition” of the agency, amongst different choices, The Data reported Monday, citing sources with direct information of the talks.
If a deal had been to maneuver ahead, OpenAI — which lately secured $40 billion in new financing at a $300 billion valuation — would additionally combine the design crew engaged on the AI {hardware} gadget, the report added.
The startup might discover itself in direct competitors with Apple, which has closely promoted AI integrations for its flagship iPhones however struggled to implement the superior know-how.
The AI-powered {hardware} was described as a “personal device,” although The Data’s sources mentioned the agency has but to choose a remaining design.
Some have reportedly described the product as an AI-powered smartphone with no display screen, whereas others insist it’s “not a phone.”
OpenAI declined to remark.
Whereas Altman has informally labored with Ive on the plans, he isn’t thought of a co-founder of io Merchandise. It’s unknown if he’s an investor.
Ive left Apple in 2019 to begin his personal design agency referred to as LoveFrom.
Final yr, he confirmed for the primary time in an interview with the New York Instances that he was working with Altman on an AI {hardware} venture.
Ive and Altman reportedly have mentioned how such a tool would use AI for day by day duties like reserving journey or figuring out a particular plant from a photograph that exceeded the capabilities of conventional smartphones.
San Francisco-based io Merchandise poached a pair of key ex-Apple executives: Tang Tan, who led the groups chargeable for iPhone design and Apple Watch, and Evans Hankey, who took over from Ive as Apple’s high designer earlier than leaving in 2023.
Final month, the boss of the Apple crew chargeable for the Siri digital assistant referred to as a delay of promised AI options for the iPhone “ugly” and mentioned staff “might be feeling embarrassed” concerning the snafu.
The corporate has postponed the launch of its AI overhaul for Siri whereas it really works out the bugs.
