OpenAI is reportedly considering buying io Products, a startup created by Ive and Altman (pic), who also still helms the ChatGPT publisher. — AFP
OpenAI is reportedly considering buying a hardware startup called io Products, founded by Jony Ive and Sam Altman, with the aim of creating a revolutionary consumer device entirely managed by artificial intelligence.
According to The Information, OpenAI is considering buying io Products, a startup created by Jony Ive, associated with many of Apple's iconic designs, and Sam Altman, who also still helms the ChatGPT publisher. The sum of US$500mil (RM2.24bil) has been cited for this potential acquisition, which is already sparking much speculation.
OpenAI's interest in this acquisition lies in its desire to integrate its artificial intelligence expertise into new consumer devices. The idea would be to compete with smartphone manufacturers by offering a disruptive device, with fully integrated and functional AI, capable of performing complex everyday tasks. Indeed, io Products is working, in the utmost secrecy, on the development of innovative hardware devices, which in some cases could replace traditional smartphones.
With the acquisition of io Products, OpenAI could therefore release its first products in the next few years, utilizing its latest advances in AI. Incidentally, this could also (finally) help OpenAI make money.
This project is part of a broader trend aimed at rethinking connected devices by integrating AI into them more deeply in order to offer enriched user experiences. While the first efforts in this field created much hype, they largely fizzled out. The excitement surrounding the Humane AI Pin, an intelligent assistant in the form of a small device controlled by voice and touch, and the Rabbit R1, a device designed to automate any task using AI, quickly subsided after the publication of disastrous initial tests by the trade press and negligible sales. Today, the Humane startup has ceased operations, while Rabbit continues to work on improving its products. – AFP Relaxnews
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