Jony Ive, Described By Sam Altman As ‘The Greatest Designer In The World’ Joins OpenAI In $6.5B Deal To Build ‘A Totally New Kind Of Thing’
From Yahoo Finance: 2025-06-03 09:45:00
OpenAI announced the acquisition of io, co-founded by Jony Ive, for $6.5 billion. Ive and former Apple engineers will lead a new division focused on AI-powered hardware. The partnership aims to create innovative computing devices with minimal screen dependency, reports Bloomberg.
Ive, known for designing iconic Apple products, will oversee design at OpenAI. The io acquisition includes engineers like Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, key to iPhone and Apple Watch development. The move signals a shift towards AI-powered hardware development, according to Bloomberg.
OpenAI’s mission is to build AI-native devices with new modes of interaction, moving away from traditional interfaces. The $6.5 billion deal includes equity and OpenAI’s stake in io. The acquisition marks a significant shift towards consumer hardware development, with OpenAI’s valuation reaching $300 billion, driven by AI system success.
Apple faces competition in AI, with OpenAI leading the charge in innovation. OpenAI’s success has propelled its transition into consumer hardware development, democratizing access to AI. With a team of experienced designers and engineers, OpenAI is poised to create transformative devices aligning with its mission of AI accessibility.