Jony Ive and OpenAI Prepare 20 Revolutionary AI Devices to Replace Our Smartphones
The former Chief Design Officer of Apple, Jony Ive, who crafted some of the most iconic products at the tech giant, is now taking on a new challenge: reinventing the relationship between humans and technology, this time in partnership with OpenAI.
During OpenAI’s DevDay conference in San Francisco, Jony Ive revealed that his team is currently working on between 15 and 20 AI-powered device concepts aimed at transforming our interaction with the digital world.
One thing is certain: none of these products will resemble an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Jony Ive Criticizes Smartphones — Including His Own Creations
In a notable speech alongside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Jony Ive sharply criticized the dependency created by current devices — including those he himself designed. “When I say we have an uncomfortable relationship with technology, it’s an obscene understatement,” Jony Ive stated, according to Business Insider.
The designer explained that his new mission is to envision smart devices that soothe rather than stress, which connect people instead of isolating them behind screens and notifications.
A Promising $6 Billion Alliance
Earlier this year, OpenAI acquired LoveFrom, the design studio founded by Ive, for over $6 billion. This collaboration has sparked high expectations: Altman has already discussed the creation of an AI companion and a new generation of smart devices that would seamlessly integrate into everyday life — a positioning that could directly challenge Apple’s standing in the connected devices market.
Ive admitted that the current pace of innovation complicates matters: “We have already imagined between 15 and 20 truly interesting products, but our challenge today is focus — ensuring that each makes sense and is unforgettable at the time of its launch.”
Devices That “Feel” More Than They Compute
Rather than relying solely on technical prowess, Jony Ive seeks to design objects that place humanity at the center. According to him, future OpenAI products will aim to bring joy to users through natural, emotional, and intuitive interactions.
The founder of LoveFrom explains that his teams are exploring new forms of “person-to-person” interfaces, deeply integrated into the daily environment — an approach that could blur the lines between object and intelligent companion.
In a veiled jab at Apple, Ive also emphasized his desire to break away from too “pure” or elitist an aesthetic, favoring a warmer and more inclusive design.
A Return to the Origins of Steve Jobs’ Philosophy
Despite his critiques, Jony Ive reaffirmed his commitment to one of Steve Jobs’ founding principles: simplicity as the key to useful innovation. “Our products must primarily solve universal human problems,” he reminded.
This collaboration between OpenAI and Jony Ive may well mark the beginning of a new era for human-computer interfaces — where technology ceases to be a screen and becomes a connection once more.
