Jony Ive and Sam Altman Discuss New AI Device With Laurene Powell Jobs [Video]

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design chief Jony Ive shared a stage publicly for the first time this week, offering a rare look at the philosophy driving their new hardware venture. Speaking at Emerson Collective's Demo Day, the two discussed why the current era of AI demands a new kind of device.

Laurene Powell Jobs, who moderated the conversation, described the partnership not as a transaction but an "alignment of intention." Ive noted that despite their different backgrounds—Altman in software and models, Ive in physical design—they bonded over a shared curiosity and a willingness to be wrong.


That relationship has since evolved into a formal startup called io, which is reportedly recruiting veteran talent directly from Apple's design team to work alongside Ive's firm, LoveFrom.

While they stopped short of revealing the specific form factor, Altman confirmed that development has moved well beyond concepts. "Finally, we have the first prototypes," Altman said. "I can't believe how jaw-dropping good the work is and how exciting it is."

Altman was also specific about the problem they are trying to solve. He criticized the modern smartphone experience, comparing it to "walking through Times Square"—a chaotic stream of notifications and demands for attention. The goal for their new hardware is the opposite: a quiet, capable intelligence that offers utility without the noise.

He drew a direct parallel to the invention of the transistor. Just as that component made the smartphone possible, he argued that new AI capabilities require entirely new form factors that couldn't exist before. The current hardware, in his view, is limiting the software.


Previous reports suggest the team is working on a device without a screen that relies heavily on voice and sensor inputs. Both founders also emphasized their commitment to building the company in San Francisco, citing the city's unique culture of reinvention.

No release date was offered, but the project is moving forward as OpenAI continues to refine the reasoning models that would likely serve as its brain.

Take a look at the video below...