Apple's former Chief Designer confirms mobile project with OpenAI — leveraging the ChatGPT maker's AI smarts to "create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone"
By Kevin Okemwa,
26 days ago
What you need to know
Former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive recently disclosed that he's working closely with OpenAI to develop a flagship device that could potentially take on Apple and Samsung in the mobile landscape.
Rumors indicate the project is attracting investors, with one rumored to have already injected over $1 billion in funding.
The new device will reportedly "use AI to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone.”
As it now happens, OpenAI could potentially dabble its hand in the hardware landscape with the help of Apple's former Chief Design Officer, Jony Ive. Last year, rumors swirling around the windmill indicated that the Chief Designer deliberated with OpenAI to develop an " iPhone of artificial intelligence " featuring a “more natural and intuitive experience” when interacting with AI via the device.
In an interview with The New York Times , often tight-lipped about ongoing projects, Ive admitted that he's indeed working closely with OpenAI to develop a new device that could potentially give Apple and Samsung a run for their money in the mobile landscape (via Tom's Hardware ).
While Jony Ive's comments on the ongoing project remained slim at best, we now know that it's something that we can all look forward to in the foreseeable future. We also know investors see the potential in OpenAI and are willing to make sizeable investments toward its advances, including Softbank's CEO, Masayoshi Son, who is rumored to have invested in funding to the tune of $1 billion.
OpenAI could be uniquely positioned to takeover the mobile landscape
Apple's iPhone sales have significantly dwindled, especially in the Chinese market. But this isn't written in stone and is on a touch-and-go basis, especially with the recent launch of the iPhone 16 series. As you may know, Apple recently discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, limiting Apple Intelligence to its iPhone 16 phones .
Over the past few months, major phone makers have been shipping their flagship phones with in-built AI capabilities and assistance as a blatant attempt to enhance their user experience and entice more people to buy their devices. Google has Gemini, Apple has Apple Intelligence, and Microsoft's Windows Phone would have featured Copilot if it hadn't pulled the plug on the device, sending it to the Microsoft Graveyard . Are we now looking at a potential iPhone of intelligence from OpenAI?
Only time will tell, but we know it'll be “a product that uses AI to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone.” This is a developing story, and we'll keep tabs on the situation to keep you posted on any new information that surfaces.
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