OpenAI finalizes acquisition of io to develop AI hardware with Jony Ive
OpenAI has officially closed its $6.5 billion acquisition of io, the hardware company co-founded by ex-Apple design legend Jony Ive. The move solidifies OpenAI’s long-term vision to bring ChatGPT-powered AI into physical hardware devices. The acquisition, now listed under “io Products, Inc.,” had briefly disappeared from OpenAI’s website following a legal dispute with Iyo, a similarly named hearing aid startup. With the legal issues addressed, OpenAI reaffirmed that its partnership with Ive and his firm LoveFrom will focus on developing innovative AI products grounded in thoughtful, human-centered design.
Jony Ive’s design vision fuels OpenAI’s AI hardware plans
Jony Ive’s legendary design pedigree at Apple—where he led the creation of the iPhone, iMac, and iPad—now enters a new chapter with OpenAI. While LoveFrom remains an independent firm, its collaboration with OpenAI grants Ive a central creative role. According to OpenAI, the io team will now work closely with its San Francisco-based research and engineering units. Their shared ambition? To craft AI-first consumer hardware that doesn't just integrate artificial intelligence but is defined by it. This marks a shift from purely digital experiences toward tactile, intuitive devices enhanced by real-time AI functionality.
OpenAI scrubs original announcement amid trademark conflict
OpenAI’s original blog post and announcement video featuring CEO Sam Altman and Jony Ive were taken offline due to a trademark lawsuit from Iyo, the hearing aid company spun out of Google’s moonshot division. As a result, the video remains unavailable on both OpenAI’s website and its social media channels. However, the company has since reinstated the acquisition announcement with clear branding changes and an updated legal name. OpenAI emphasized that its collaboration with the io Products, Inc. team is already underway, highlighting a renewed push toward seamless integration between hardware and artificial intelligence.
What this means for the future of AI hardware
With this deal, OpenAI is no longer just a software company—it’s signaling a major expansion into physical products. Though no specific device has been confirmed yet, insiders suggest the new AI hardware won’t be a wearable but something that pushes the boundaries of what consumer electronics can do with embedded intelligence. By teaming up with a design icon like Ive and integrating ChatGPT’s capabilities at a foundational level, OpenAI could be aiming for the next generation of AI-native devices—where machine learning meets masterful industrial design.
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