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In a bold move to define the future of AI hardware, OpenAI is acquiring io, the hardware company launched by former Apple design icon Jony Ive, in a deal valued at approximately $6.5 billion. While Ive himself will not be joining OpenAI directly, his acclaimed design firm, LoveFrom, will be the primary design partner for all OpenAI products, including both hardware and software.

Approximately 55 key personnel from io, encompassing hardware engineers, software developers, and manufacturing specialists, will transition to OpenAI. The first fruits of this collaboration are projected to arrive in 2026, with the initial device not intended as a direct replacement for smartphones.

Ive, a vocal critic of current AI hardware like the Humane Pin and Rabbit R1, has already showcased a prototype device to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who reportedly lauded it as “the coolest technology ever.” Ive has expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and the transformative potential of AI.

The io team’s integration into OpenAI will foster close collaboration with research, engineering, and product teams. Ive emphasized how his previous experiences have culminated in this pivotal opportunity. Both Ive and Altman underscored the critical importance of seamlessly blending technology, design, and a deep understanding of human needs in the creation of impactful AI products.