Big Tech firms are in a heated race to design the ideal hardware companion for artificial intelligence (AI), with OpenAI enlisting legendary iPhone designer Jony Ive to reimagine what an AI gadget should be.
As AI continues to transform how people interact with technology, industry leaders argue that existing devices like smartphones and smart speakers may no longer suffice. Former Apple design chief Jony Ive, now collaborating with OpenAI, believes it’s time for a radical departure from traditional tech formats.
“The products that we’re using to deliver and connect us to unimaginable technology are decades old,” Ive said. “Surely there’s something beyond these legacy products.”
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman remains tight-lipped on what exactly Ive is building but teased that a prototype he saw was “the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen.” Reports suggest the device will not have a screen and won’t be worn like a watch or brooch.
With generative AI still in the early stages of widespread adoption, experts say there’s room for a new, purpose-built product to emerge. But it’s not just about the form factor — it’s about building software that works with people, not just for them.
“The type of device isn’t as important as whether it’s built with pro-human values,” said Rob Howard of Innovating with AI.
The tech world is still wary of repeating mistakes like the AI Pin, a $699 wearable launched by startup Humane in 2024 that flopped spectacularly, vanishing from the market within a year due to lack of consumer interest.
Despite this, the momentum behind AI hardware is only growing. OpenAI has made a multibillion-dollar investment in Jony Ive’s new venture. Meanwhile, Google is developing mixed-reality glasses equipped with AI, Meta is pushing further into AI-driven products, and Amazon continues expanding Alexa’s capabilities.
Apple, in contrast, has taken a cautious approach, delaying its plans to enhance Siri with generative AI and integrating the technology more slowly into iPhones. This hesitance has drawn criticism from industry analysts who believe the company may be falling behind in a crucial technological shift.
Experts predict voice commands will be central to how people use AI in the future. Technologies that let people interact with AI seamlessly—possibly even offline—are gaining traction.
“You can’t push it all out to the cloud,” said Futurum’s Olivier Blanchard, warning that concerns around security, cost, and energy usage mean localised solutions are necessary.
Blanchard and others envision a future where AI operates from discreet hubs that users can speak to, eliminating the need to type or tap. This concept aligns with Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s idea of “ambient computing,” where AI blends invisibly into everyday life.
However, smartphones are likely to remain central for now. According to CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood, phones are simply too embedded in daily routines to be replaced immediately.
Still, OpenAI—now armed with major investments, high-profile hires like ex-Facebook and Instacart executive Fidji Simo, and the design expertise of Ive—is poised to take a bold step toward the next era of human-machine interaction.
