OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar described the company's upcoming AI hardware device, developed with Jony Ive, as feeling 'natural' and 'lovable.' While declining to confirm if it's an earpiece, she indicated a visceral reaction to its design and stated it will be unveiled by year-end.
The upcoming AI hardware device from OpenAI, designed in collaboration with Jony Ive, represents a significant move into consumer electronics for the AI company, potentially reshaping how users interact with artificial intelligence.
OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar offered a glimpse into the company's highly anticipated AI hardware device, describing the user experience as 'very natural' and 'very lovable.' While speaking at the Liquity Summit, Friar was pressed on whether the device, developed in partnership with legendary iPhone designer Jony Ive, is an earpiece. She humorously deflected the question, suggesting that confirming it would lead to Ive 'stealing' her son. Friar emphasized Ive's team's skill in making technology feel human and intuitive, stating that 'great design just makes everything fade away.' OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously clarified that the device is not a phone. The company aims to unveil the device by the end of the year, a timeline that contrasts with a previous legal filing suggesting a February 2027 shipping date. This development follows OpenAI's acquisition of Ive's AI hardware startup, IO, for approximately $6.5 billion in May 2025, with both Altman and Ive working on a 'family of AI products.'
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