OpenAI, the company behind groundbreaking generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, appears to be expanding its horizons. Recently, they have hinted at venturing into physical AI devices in collaboration with renowned designer Jony Ive. This undertaking may diverge from conventional expectations regarding technology in our lives. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, shared exciting insights with employees about the company’s next major innovation.

Contrary to popular speculation about wearables, the new product is envisioned as a compact, screenless device. This isn’t merely a gadget; it is designed to be acutely conscious of its user’s environment. The device, described by Altman, is small enough to be easily placed on a desk or carried in a pocket. He refers to it as a “third core device,” positioned alongside familiar tools like laptops and smartphones.

More importantly, it is intended to serve as an “AI companion” that seamlessly integrates into daily life. This new direction follows OpenAI’s acquisition of “io,” a startup created by Jony Ive, with the deal reportedly valued at $6.5 billion. This signals OpenAI’s intention to move beyond software, entering the hardware realm with Ive taking a significant role in design and creativity. The choice to create a screenless device indicates an ambition to establish a novel category of technology that fosters a more organic interaction with AI.

Altman believes this innovation could potentially contribute an impressive $1 trillion to OpenAI’s market value. He asserts that their screenless AI companion is expected to be produced at a pace unmatched by any previous tech company. Overall, the prospect of OpenAI and Jony Ive introducing a new kind of AI companion is intriguing, suggesting a future where artificial intelligence is seamlessly blended into the fabric of our everyday experiences.