A groundbreaking partnership is emerging in the tech world as Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, joins forces with renowned design visionary Jony Ive, and Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, to launch a new AI-driven device company! This collaboration has the potential to reshape the future of technology as we know it.

Jony Ive, who established his design firm LoveFrom in 2019 after a remarkable tenure at Apple where he was the mastermind behind iconic products such as the iMac, iPhone, and Apple Watch, has been discussing this exciting new venture with Altman over numerous dinner meetings. According to reports from The Times, these conversations centered around the vast potential for a groundbreaking AI-centered computing device, and soon the two innovators decided it was time to make it a reality.

The new startup has already begun raising capital, attracting substantial investments from both Ive as well as Emerson Collective, a philanthropic firm founded by Powell Jobs. The ambitious goal? To secure up to $1 billion in startup funding by the end of 2024. This financial backing underscores the high expectations and excitement surrounding this alliance.

Marc Newson, who co-founded LoveFrom with Ive, indicated to The Times that they are still in the brainstorming phase regarding the product’s features and launch timeline. Altman himself expressed optimism and intrigue for AI devices during a recent appearance at The Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live event in October 2023.

"I’m fascinated by this field; it’s incredibly promising," Altman shared with tech columnist Joanna Stern. He elaborated that while many ideas are swirling about, they are still in the very early stages of development. However, he drew a line between their innovation efforts and existing technologies.

"Smartphones are incredible," Altman acknowledged. "We’re not looking to compete with that phenomenal device. Instead, we’re exploring what we can create with AI—possibilities that were previously unattainable."

Interestingly, Altman also pointed out that he doesn't believe AI devices will surpass smartphones. Are we about to see a reimagining of computing rather than a full-scale replacement?

It is worth noting that Altman and Ive are not alone in their vision for AI-centric devices. Former Apple alumni Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno launched their own AI startup, Humane, in 2019 and revealed their first product, the Ai Pin, in November. However, their device faced scrutiny, garnering negative reviews shortly after release. Recent reports suggest that Humane is now seeking a buyer with a valuation between $750 million and $1 billion, despite facing difficulties with product sales versus returns.

As the competition heats up around AI innovations, all eyes will be on Sam Altman, Jony Ive, and Laurene Powell Jobs—can this trio of tech titans truly unlock the next wave of computing technology? Stay tuned, as the future of AI devices may be closer than we think!