At OpenAI’s developer conference in San Francisco on Monday, CEO Sam Altman and ex-Apple designer Jony Ive spoke in imprecise phrases concerning the “household of units” the pair are presently working to develop.
“As nice as telephones and computer systems are, there’s one thing new to do,” Altman stated on stage with Ive. The duo confirmed that OpenAI is engaged on a couple of {hardware} product however finer particulars, starting from use instances to specs, stay beneath wraps.
“{Hardware} is tough. Determining new computing kind elements is tough,” stated Altman in a media briefing earlier within the day. “I believe we’ve got an opportunity to do one thing wonderful, however it’ll take some time.”
Ive stated that his workforce has generated “15 to twenty actually compelling product” concepts on the journey to search out the proper of {hardware} to focus the corporate’s efforts on.
“I don’t suppose we’ve got a straightforward relationship with our know-how in the intervening time,” stated Ive. “Relatively than seeing AI as an extension of these challenges, I see it very in another way.” Ive defined that one cause he needed to design an AI-powered system with OpenAI is to remodel the connection individuals presently must the units they use day-after-day.
Whereas Ive acknowledged the potential for AI to boost productivity, effectivity doesn’t seem like his core objective with these units. Relatively, he hopes for them to carry extra social good into the world. The units ought to “make us joyful, and fulfilled, and extra peaceable, and fewer anxious, and fewer disconnected,” he stated.
Earlier reporting indicated that OpenAI is planning to fabricate a brand new class of {hardware} that doesn’t resemble a telephone or laptop computer. In a latest preview for OpenAI employees, Altman hinted that the product would concentrate on a consumer’s environment and day-to-day experiences, in accordance with The Wall Street Journal. The system is likely to be screenless and depend on inputs from cameras and microphones.
OpenAI additionally hasn’t stated publicly when it plans to launch the units, although late 2026 could reportedly be the goal launch, in accordance with the Monetary Occasions. The publication lately reported that growth of the system has been stymied by technical issues.
