OpenAI, Jony Ive in talks with SoftBank over AI device venture - Financial Times

Investing.com -- OpenAI is in advanced negotiations with former Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) designer Jony Ive and Japan's SoftBank (TYO:9984) over the creation of a new device that aims to become the "iPhone of artificial intelligence," the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Citing three people familiar with the plan, the FT said OpenAI boss Sam Altman has selected LoveFrom, a company Ive started after his departure from Apple in 2019, to design the first consumer-facing device from the ChatGPT-maker.

Altman and Ive have held brainstorming sessions, the people told the paper, but the process of developing the product is still in its early stages. The collaboration intends to create a more intuitive way for users to interact with AI, the FT added.

SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son has also reportedly been involved in some of the talks, the FT said. He has floated both providing financial backing to the project and bringing in Arm, the chip designer that is more than 90% owned by the Japanese tech investment management group. SoftBank is reportedly considering an investment of over $1 billion in the venture.

OpenAI, LoveFrom, and SoftBank all declined to comment, the FT noted. Aspects of the discussions were first reported in The Information.