OpenAI and Jony Ive are reportedly facing significant technical challenges as they work to develop a screen-less, AI-powered device. This information comes from a report by the Financial Times.
The collaboration began earlier when OpenAI acquired io, the device startup founded by the legendary Apple designer Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, for 6.5 billion dollars. At that time, Altman stated that Ive and his team would help create a new generation of AI-powered computers. It was also reported that the first devices from this partnership were scheduled to launch in 2026.
The Financial Times now says the goal is to create a palm-sized device without a screen. This device would take audio and visual cues from the physical environment and respond to user requests. However, unresolved issues might delay the launch. These challenges include defining the device’s personality, determining how it handles privacy, and establishing the necessary computing infrastructure.
For example, one source explained that the device would take an always on approach rather than waiting for a specific verbal prompt. The development team has reportedly struggled to ensure the device only speaks up when it is useful and ends its conversations at the appropriate time.