OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s AI Device Company, io for $6.5 Billion USD

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Summary

  • OpenAI acquires ex-Apple design chief Jony Ive’s AI hardware company io for $6.5 billion USD
  • The all-stock deal was largely due to a two year collaboration between Ive and Sam Altman
  • The deal marks OpenAI’s largest acquisition to date

OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company, has finalized its purchase of io, an AI-focused hardware startup that was previously led by Jony Ive, a renowned designer who worked at Apple. The deal, worth $6.5 billion in stock, is the largest acquisition made by OpenAI so far and signals their entry into the consumer hardware industry for the first time.

Previously, OpenAI held a 23% minority share in a company founded by Ive last year. Ive, renowned for his extensive work at Apple Inc., particularly his role as Chief Design Officer until 2019, was instrumental in designing many of Apple’s famous products such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Apple Watch. The acquisition will bring together io’s team of 55 engineers, designers, and researchers, who aim to create products that inspire, empower, and enable, with OpenAI’s teams in San Francisco for closer collaboration on research, engineering, and product development.

OpenAI’s recent announcement mentioned that a partnership between Jony Ive, LoveFrom, and Eric Altman started two years ago. The statement explained that this collaboration, fueled by friendship, shared interests, and mutual values, gradually expanded in scope. Initial concepts and investigations eventually materialized into practical designs. As OpenAI combines with io, Jony Ive and LoveFrom will take on significant design and creative roles within both OpenAI and io. The specifics of OpenAi’s post-acquisition plans are being kept confidential, but according to Wall Street Journal, the secret project focuses on a new device that aims to go beyond screens, exploring possibilities such as headphones and devices with cameras. Altman expressed in a statement, “AI is an incredible technology, but effective tools demand attention at the crossroads of technology, design, and understanding people and the world. Jony Ive and his team are uniquely capable of this level of dedication; their devotion to every aspect of the process is remarkable.

Sam & Jony introduce io

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) May 21, 2025

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2025-05-22 11:56