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Historic Transaction Marks OpenAI’s Entry Into the Hardware Sector With AI, Alongside Former iPhone Designer, in Long-Term Project
On May 15, 2025, OpenAI confirmed the acquisition of the startup io, founded in 2024 by Jony Ive, former Chief Design Officer at Apple. The deal was estimated at US$ 6.5 billion, according to sources such as Financial Times and Bloomberg. The operation represents the largest purchase in OpenAI’s history, which now integrates the hardware sector with artificial intelligence. The startup, based in the United States, has about 55 professionals specialized in engineering, software, and industrial design. These professionals will be integrated into OpenAI’s research labs in San Francisco, aiming to collaborate on the development of new consumer-oriented devices. The acquisition is still subject to regulatory approval, with completion expected by summer 2025, between June and September.
OpenAI and Jony Ive Will Work Together on New Technological Proposal
OpenAI announced that the first product resulting from the collaboration with Jony Ive is under development, with a projected launch for 2026, with no confirmed date yet. The intention is to develop an intelligent device with native AI integration that complements current forms of technological interaction. According to OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, speaking to The Information, the initiative does not aim to replace smartphones or laptops but rather to create a functional alternative that utilizes artificial intelligence in a more intuitive manner. For his part, Jony Ive, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, described the project as an opportunity to apply his design expertise to a new generation of products focused on human-machine integration, without promising immediate technological breakthroughs.
Investment Backed by Prominent Figures in the Technology Sector
The negotiation received financial support from recognized investors, including Laurene Powell Jobs, through the Emerson Collective, and funds such as Thrive Capital, Maverick Capital, Sutter Hill Ventures, and SV Angel, as highlighted by Bloomberg. Since April 2025, even before the formalization of the agreement, the teams from OpenAI and io have already started integration and technical development processes. Fortune predicts that the teams will present the first prototypes in early 2026, should they advance in engineering and market validation.
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Product Will Focus on Integration With Generative AI
Wired and Fast Company reported that the team will therefore develop the new device with a clear focus on integrating generative artificial intelligence. The proposal is to offer a functional device that connects to ChatGPT in a more fluid, natural, and user-friendly manner. According to sources close to the project, the device will be designed to ensure practical functionalities, with accessible design and integrated AI in a seamless way.
Movement Represents Strategic Change With a Long-Term Focus
Since its founding in 2015, OpenAI has focused its efforts on developing language models and AI systems such as ChatGPT and DALL·E. With the recent acquisition, the company begins a new front in the consumer market, thus expanding its scope beyond software. According to the New York Times and The Verge, the initiative is strategic and reflects a growing trend among AI companies. These companies are, therefore, investing in physical products that make their technologies more accessible to the public in a practical and straightforward way. However, OpenAI will ensure that it conducts the project responsibly and adheres to standards of safety, privacy, and usability. The development will thus follow progressive technical and commercial guidelines; however, there is currently no promise of immediate revolution in the market.
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