Jony Ive and Sam Altman Reveal First AI Hardware Prototype, Production Within Two Years

Jony Ive and Sam Altman Show First AI Device Prototype

Former Apple design legend Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have provided the first concrete details about their secretive AI hardware project, revealing they now have working prototypes and a timeline for production.

During an interview with Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective's Demo Day, the duo opened up about their collaboration, which began with the acquisition of io and has evolved into an AI-based hardware product that reimagines how people interact with computers.

Production Timeline and Design Philosophy

The pair announced they expect to start building the product in less than two years, marking the first specific timeline shared publicly for the project. While technical specifications remain under wraps, Altman and Ive described the device using evocative language that hints at their design philosophy.

According to the interview, the device is intended to be "playful," "bite worthy," and "as peaceful as a cabin by a lake." Altman specifically emphasized that the product would be "more peaceful and calm than the iPhone," suggesting a deliberate move away from the attention-demanding nature of modern smartphones.

Why This Matters to Consumers

This collaboration brings together one of the most influential product designers in tech history with the leader of the company behind ChatGPT. Ive's track record includes designing the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch—devices that fundamentally changed how people interact with technology.

The focus on creating a "peaceful" AI device suggests the team is addressing growing concerns about smartphone addiction and digital overwhelm. If successful, this could represent a new category of AI-powered hardware that provides intelligent assistance without the constant notifications and distractions of current devices.

While consumers will need to wait at least two years for availability, the revelation of working prototypes indicates the project has moved beyond concept stage into tangible development.