Sam Altman Reveals Details of “Revolutionary” AI Gadget Co-Developed with Jony Ive

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has shed light on a major new project he’s building in collaboration with legendary Apple designer Jony Ive — a groundbreaking AI device that could redefine how people interact with technology.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Altman described the product as a fundamentally new type of AI hardware — a “companion” for everyday life that could eventually ship at a scale of up to 100 million units.

Altman reportedly described a future in which subscribing to ChatGPT would include receiving the device as part of the experience — positioning it as a seamless entry point into OpenAI’s ecosystem.

Set to launch in late 2025, the gadget will not be a smartphone or a wearable. Instead, it’s designed as a subtle, ever-present alternative to screen addiction. Ive has hinted that its interface will mark a new chapter in design. The development is being conducted under tight secrecy to avoid leaks or copycat products.

The initiative follows OpenAI’s $6.5 billion acquisition of Ive’s design firm LoveFrom/io — the largest deal in OpenAI’s history. Altman believes the device could become “the biggest thing we’ve ever done as a company here,” potentially boosting the company’s valuation by a trillion dollars.

OpenAI’s VP of Product, Peter Welinder, is also involved and has reportedly been working alongside Ive on the concept for over a year and a half.