OpenAI Finally Takes on Apple
OpenAI, the leading AI research lab, is making waves in the technology industry once again. The company has announced its plans to raise more funds at a staggering valuation of $100 billion. This move comes as OpenAI prepares to take on Apple in the field of AI hardware.
In recent months, reports surfaced about Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, teaming up with Jony Ive, former Apple executive and renowned designer of the iPhone, to create their own AI hardware project. Now, it appears that their venture is gaining momentum, as they have approached Tang Tan, the outgoing vice president of iPhone and watch design at Apple, to join their project.
Tan is expected to join LoveFrom, a design studio founded by Ive in 2019, which focuses on creating AI devices. With Tan’s expertise in hardware engineering, he will play a crucial role in bringing their vision to life. His departure from Apple further emphasizes the company’s loss of design talent, with approximately 14 members of Ive’s original team leaving since 2019.
Notably, LoveFrom has already garnered an impressive list of clients, including big names like Airbnb, Ferrari, and Moncler. Moreover, over 20 former Apple employees have joined LoveFrom, adding to the company’s credibility and expertise.
While the exact details of LoveFrom’s project remain undisclosed, speculation suggests that they may be working on a home device similar to Amazon’s Alexa Mini or Humane Ai. With OpenAI’s advanced technology and Ive’s impeccable design skills, they are poised to create something extraordinary.
Altman’s involvement with other startups, like his investment in Humane, led to his dismissal as CEO of OpenAI before being reinstated later. Having learned from this experience, Altman aims to ensure that OpenAI’s technology can be utilized in various form factors.
OpenAI’s recent partnership with WHOOP, which introduced WHOOP Coach, hints at their foray into hardware. Leveraging OpenAI’s cutting-edge technology, WHOOP Coach offers personalized advice on health, fitness, and well-being.
In a similar vein, Apple has also been venturing into generative AI capabilities, as evidenced by their multiyear deals with news publications like Conde Nast, NBC News, and IAC. The company is actively investing in open-source projects and integrating AI capabilities into their hardware.
As OpenAI and Altman, along with Humane, LoveFrom, and the influx of former Apple employees, forge ahead in the AI hardware arena, it seems they have the upper hand over their competitors.
The convergence of AI and hardware is becoming increasingly prominent, and both OpenAI and Apple are positioning themselves to lead the way in this exciting new frontier. As the tech giants continue to innovate and collaborate, we can expect groundbreaking developments that will shape the future of AI and its integration into our daily lives.
OpenAI’s plans to raise more funds at a valuation of $100 billion, along with Apple’s dedicated focus on generative AI capabilities, solidify their commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
As the world looks on with anticipation, it’s clear that the AI hardware race between OpenAI and Apple is just beginning. The potential for groundbreaking innovation and transformative technology is immense, and the beneficiaries will undoubtedly be the consumers who get to experience these advancements firsthand.
