Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s latest project leaked. It’s a smart, screenless gadget
OpenAI’s vision for a screen-free future. The next big leap in AI devices.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has teamed up with legendary designer Jony Ive to create a cutting-edge AI-powered gadget that could shake up the way we use personal tech. This project reflects a broader trend, also pushed by figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, suggesting that the era of the smartphone may be coming to a close.
OpenAI and Jony Ive forces to reinvent everyday electronics with a screen-free AI gadget
According to a Wall Street Journal leak, OpenAI bought io (an AI hardware startup co-founded by Ive) in May 2025 for $6.5 billion, and is planning to roll out 100 million of these smart devices, designed to fit smoothly into everyday life. Ive, famous for his iconic Apple designs, will now lead hardware and design efforts at OpenAI.
The idea behind the new device is to create a small, screenless gadget that blends effortlessly into our daily routine, something that cuts down on screen time while still keeping us connected. It's designed to be smart enough to understand our surroundings and anticipate what we need, making tech feel more like a helpful companion than a tool we have to constantly manage.
As Jony Ive said in the io announcement video, the products we use to access this incredible technology are decades old. He and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman want to change that with a new, screen-free approach.
In a staff meeting reported by the Wall Street Journal, OpenAI described the tool as a compact, discreet gadget for your desk or pocket, calling it the “third core device” after your MacBook Pro and iPhone. The goal is to move away from screen time and create a more natural way to interact with AI.
Details about the product are still being kept quiet, but the project marks a bold step toward building AI-first hardware that works alongside phones and laptops, without just copying them. It’s still early days, with a small team (including some ex-Apple designers) working out of an office in San Francisco. The whole effort shows OpenAI’s big push to bring AI into everyday life in a way that could totally change how we interact with tech.
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