Key facts
- OpenAI is reportedly developing a screenless, mobile smart speaker as its first hardware device.
- The device is designed to be a "humanlike AI companion" that learns about its owner and accesses their digital life.
- It will integrate with ChatGPT and offer personalized home AI services.
- The device reportedly includes "mechanical elements that can move on their own."
- Former Apple engineers who worked on the iPhone and Mac contributed to its development.
- The development comes amid Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI for alleged trade secret theft.
OpenAI is reportedly developing its first hardware device, a mobile smart speaker designed to function as a "humanlike AI companion." The screen-free device, still under development, aims to provide personalized home AI services by syncing with ChatGPT and learning about its owner's digital life, including emails. Sources describe the device as having a "personality" and incorporating "mechanical elements that can move on their own."
Development of the device involved former Apple engineers who were instrumental in creating products like the iPhone and Mac. This initiative by OpenAI comes at a time when the tech industry is showing increased interest in consumer AI hardware, with companies like Hark AI raising substantial funding for similar ventures.
However, OpenAI faces legal challenges, as Apple recently sued the AI company, alleging theft of trade secrets. OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing and stated that its new product is unlikely to violate Apple's trade secrets.