Former Apple Design Icon Jony Ive Joins Forces with OpenAI to Shape the Future of AI Devices

Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind Apple’s most iconic products, is officially joining OpenAI in a bold move to redefine the future of personal computing.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced a strategic partnership and merger with Ive’s tech company, io, in a deal reportedly valued at $6.5 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and other sources. Ive’s renowned design firm LoveFrom will now take the lead on design initiatives for both OpenAI and io.

“We have the opportunity to completely reimagine what it means to use a computer,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in an announcement video.

A New Vision for AI-Driven Hardware

This collaboration marks a turning point as tech leaders race to integrate AI into everyday devices—going far beyond phones and laptops. Ive and Altman are working on a mysterious AI-powered product aimed at creating a more human-centered, less disruptive computing experience than today’s smartphones.

While details remain under wraps, Altman teased that a prototype already exists and called it “the coolest piece of technology the world will have ever seen.” The first public glimpse of their work is expected sometime next year.

A Partnership Years in the Making

Ive has already been working with OpenAI for the past two years, quietly helping to explore next-gen AI interfaces. According to The New York Times, OpenAI previously held a 23% stake in io, making this expansion of the partnership a natural progression.

The timing of the announcement is no coincidence. Just one day earlier, Google unveiled its plans for AI-powered smart glasses—joining Meta, which has already sold over 2 million pairs of its Ray-Ban smart glasses. Meanwhile, other AI-centric gadgets like the Humane AI Pin have struggled to gain traction.

“The products we use to deliver powerful technology are decades old,” Ive remarked. “Surely, there’s something beyond these legacy devices.”

Ive’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

Jony Ive is best known for shaping the design of the iPhone, iMac, iPad, and Apple Park headquarters. After nearly 30 years at Apple, he left in 2019 to form LoveFrom, but his influence on modern consumer tech remains unmatched. Apple CEO Tim Cook once said Ive’s role in the company’s revival “cannot be overstated.”

With this new venture alongside OpenAI, Ive is poised to influence yet another generation of devices—this time infused with the power of artificial intelligence.

As OpenAI continues to dominate the AI conversation and Apple integrates ChatGPT into Siri, all eyes are now on what Ive and Altman will unveil in 2025.