Yup, Jony Ive is working on an AI device startup with OpenAI – TechCrunch
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OpenAI, not content with building large language models and art-generating AI, wants to get into hardware.
That’s according The Information, which reported this week that storied former Apple product designer Jony Ive is in talks with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about an AI hardware project.
The details are wanting. But billionaire Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of investment holding company SoftBank, is involved with the initiative in some capacity, allegedly.
OpenAI’s hardware effort — whatever form it takes (or doesn’t) — is in the very earliest stages, as per The Information. Altman and Ive have only begun discussing what a piece of hardware could do or look like, not concrete features, capabilities or target market yet.
Ive’s reputation precedes him, of course. The ex-Apple chief design officer has consulted on a number of products since leaving Apple in 2019, including a $60,000 turntable by audio equipment company Linn and a logo for King Charles III’s Astra Carta framework, a movement to emphasize sustainable space practices.
But hardware is a tricky business. OpenAI knows this well.
OpenAI once ran a robotics research division, which explored ways machines can learn to perform complex tasks like solving a Rubik’s Cube. But it disbanded the team in July 2021 after encountering major technical roadblocks — and presumably cost overruns.
OpenAI is in a position to burn some cash, however, having told investors that it expects to reach $1 billion in revenue this year. And the AI startup, best known for its viral AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT and text-generating system GPT-4, is sitting on a total of $11.3 billion in venture capital.
Just in April, OpenAI picked up another ~$300 million. And the company is said to be in discussions to possibly sell shares in a move that would boost the startup’s valuation from $29 billion to somewhere between $80 billion and $90 billion.
So, while hardware’s a risky venture, OpenAI’s likely to weather the storm better than most should its project fall well short of expectations.
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OpenAI, not content with building large language models and art-generating AI, wants to get into hardware.
That’s according The Information, which reported this week that storied former Apple product designer Jony Ive is in talks with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about an AI hardware project.
The details are wanting. But billionaire Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of investment holding company SoftBank, is involved with the initiative in some capacity, allegedly.
OpenAI’s hardware effort — whatever form it takes (or doesn’t) — is in the very earliest stages, as per The Information. Altman and Ive have only begun discussing what a piece of hardware could do or look like, not concrete features, capabilities or target market yet.
Ive’s reputation precedes him, of course. The ex-Apple chief design officer has consulted on a number of products since leaving Apple in 2019, including a $60,000 turntable by audio equipment company Linn and a logo for King Charles III’s Astra Carta framework, a movement to emphasize sustainable space practices.
But hardware is a tricky business. OpenAI knows this well.
OpenAI once ran a robotics research division, which explored ways machines can learn to perform complex tasks like solving a Rubik’s Cube. But it disbanded the team in July 2021 after encountering major technical roadblocks — and presumably cost overruns.
OpenAI is in a position to burn some cash, however, having told investors that it expects to reach $1 billion in revenue this year. And the AI startup, best known for its viral AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT and text-generating system GPT-4, is sitting on a total of $11.3 billion in venture capital.
Just in April, OpenAI picked up another ~$300 million. And the company is said to be in discussions to possibly sell shares in a move that would boost the startup’s valuation from $29 billion to somewhere between $80 billion and $90 billion.
So, while hardware’s a risky venture, OpenAI’s likely to weather the storm better than most should its project fall well short of expectations.
Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage.
Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly.
The latest Fintech news and analysis, delivered every Tuesday.
TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice.
Automattic CEO and WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg unleashed a scathing attack on a rival firm this week, calling WP Engine a “cancer to WordPress.” Mullenweg criticized the company — which…
Synex Medical just raised $21.8 million to build a portable MRI capable of testing glucose and other important molecules without the need to extract blood.
Jony Ive, the legendary designer who left his full-time role at Apple five years ago, is working on a new startup with OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman. The collaboration…
The Pedego’s Cargo e-bike is marketed as a powerful and sporty ride that’s geared towards parents toting kids around town and anyone who needs to schlep heavy gear. I spent…
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Featured Article
Linux’s luminary linchpin, Linus Torvalds, says that despite longstanding reports of burnout in the open source software development realm, Linux is as strong as ever.
This glossary includes some of the most common terms and expressions we use in our articles, and explanations of how — and why — we use them.
Featured Article
The fair source concept is designed to help companies align themselves with the “open” software development sphere, without encroaching into existing licensing landscapes.
Speaking Saturday at the UN Summit of the Future, Google CEO Sundar Pichai described AI as “the most transformative technology yet” and announced a new fund for AI education and…
It seems that Elon Musk-owned social network X (formerly Twitter) is backing down from a confrontation with Brazil’s Supreme Court. The New York Times reported on a new court filing…
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is calling for a full return to office at the start of 2025. For the last 15 months, employees have been expected to work in the…
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Black Forest Labs, an image GenAI startup that only came out of stealth two months ago, has closed a a monster new round, sources say.
We’ve poked through the many product announcements made by the biggest tech companies and product trade shows of the year, so far, and compiled them into this list.
Apple published step-by-step instructions for swapping out the new handset’s battery.
This tranche of funding went to startups across 14 states, but there were certain winners that will see the bulk of the expected 18,000 jobs to be created as a…
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The $169 Plaud NotePin is a tiny magnetic recording device. Recordings are transcribed and AI provide summaries of meetings.
Powered by WordPress VIP
source
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
