A New Era of AI-Native Devices: OpenAI and Jony Ive Lead the Way   By now, almost everyone is familiar with ChatGPT and its impact on the way people work, write, and search for information. In just a short time, the AI chatbot has become one of the most talked-about technologies in decades, sparking conversations about everything from education and ethics to automation and the future of work. Now, OpenAI is stepping out of the digital realm and into the world of hardware, with plans to bring its AI tools into everyday physical use. On May 21, 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and renowned designer Sir Jonathan Ive announced a partnership to develop new consumer hardware that reimagines how people interact with technology in everyday life. Altman and Ive started exploring ideas for a “post-smartphone” device in 2023. That early partnership led to Ive creating io Products, which OpenAI initially helped fund and later fully acquired. OpenAI finalized its acquisition of io Products in July 2025, completing a deal valued at approximately $6.5 billion. The transaction included OpenAI’s existing 23 percent stake along with $5 billion in new shares. Around 55 employees from io Products joined OpenAI as part of the agreement, while Jony Ive will continue to lead design work as an independent partner. Ive’s role in the project has drawn particular attention, given his influence on the design of modern consumer technology. For over two decades, Ive shaped the visual and tactile language of modern technology. As Apple’s Chief Design Officer, Ive was the quiet architect behind some of the most iconic consumer products in history: the iMac G3 (1998), the iPod (2001), the iPhone (2007), and the MacBook Air (2008). Clarity and minimalism characterize his design philosophy. It is this philosophy that not only defined Apple’s identity