OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Sam Altman is developing an innovative device with the ambitious goal of replacing mobile phones. In partnership with Jony Ive, the renowned former Apple designer, this project seeks to redefine the way people interact with technology in their daily lives.
Since the emergence of ChatGPT, OpenAI has demonstrated the power of artificial intelligence to transform numerous industries. Now, the company is venturing beyond software to create its own hardware, attempting to offer a technological experience that marks a before and after, similar to the impact the iPhone had when it was launched in 2007.
An innovative proposal driven by AI
In a recent interview with Asian media outlet Nikkei, Sam Altman confirmed that this OpenAI device will not be a conventional phone, but a new category of product which will integrate artificial intelligence in an advanced way.
The key to this device lies in the Elimination of traditional touch screens and physical buttons, promoting interaction based on voice commands and contextual recognition. This approach seeks to make the use of technology more intuitive and less dependent on visual interfaces.
Jony Ive and his design vision
To bring this project to life, OpenAI has formed a partnership with LoveFrom, Jony Ive’s design firm. Ive, who was a key player in the creation of the iPhone, iPad and MacBook, is now working on this revolutionary concept that aims to move away from dependence on current smartphones.
The development team also includes former Apple team members Tang Tan and Evans Hank, who bring their experience in high-impact devices. Currently, it is estimated that more than ten people are working on this device., although specific visual details about its final design have not yet been revealed.
Market challenges and failed track records
The attempt to replace smartphones is not new, but so far, No device has managed to achieve this goal. Recent examples such as Humane's AI Pin and the Rabbit R1 have been criticized for their high cost and limited functionality, demonstrating the difficulty of creating a viable alternative.
Sam Altman is aware of these challenges and insists that the success of this new hardware will not depend solely on price, but on its true usefulness to users. In a previous conversation, the CEO of OpenAI mentioned that “Most people are willing to pay for a phone"This suggests that the company is not looking to compete on cost, but rather to offer a truly innovative proposition.
A future without smartphones?
One of the main focuses of the project is to develop a device "less socially disruptive than the iPhone", according to statements reported by The New York Times. This suggests that OpenAI is looking to integrate artificial intelligence in a more natural way into everyday life, without generating the same dependency that smartphones have created.
Currently, the development of the device is still ongoing and Jony Ive is in the process of raising funds to finance the initiativeThe goal is to raise around $1 billion by the end of the year, reflecting the magnitude of the project and confidence in its potential impact.
The key question is whether the market is really ready for a change of this magnitude. Although artificial intelligence has evolved by leaps and bounds, The transition to a world without mobile phones would entail a profound cultural change. The proposed OpenAI has the potential to alter the way we interact with technology, although it remains to be seen whether he will be able to overcome the obstacles that have held his predecessors back on this path.