OpenAI spends $6.5 billion to buy "design legend" Jony Ive's company

(Dan Tri) - OpenAI has officially spent 6.5 billion USD to acquire io, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup founded by Jony Ive.

The deal not only marks a major step forward for OpenAI in the AI field, but also opens up opportunities for collaboration with LoveFrom, the design company founded by Jony Ive after leaving Apple in 2019.

Jony Ive and LoveFrom will take on leadership roles in product innovation and design at OpenAI.

io currently has 55 engineers, scientists , researchers and product development experts, many of whom have worked on iconic product designs at Apple.

Sam Altman (right) is excited to work with Jony Ive (left) and said this is a collaboration based on a friendship (Photo: OpenAI).

OpenAI already owns 23% of io and will spend an additional $5 billion to complete the deal. LoveFrom will remain independent but will add OpenAI as a key customer.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his excitement about collaborating with Jony Ive, whom he called " the world's greatest designer." Altman said the collaboration was based on friendship and that he wanted to create a new generation of computers powered by AI.

The deal could pave the way for OpenAI to enter the AI-powered consumer electronics market, with products like computers, smartwatches or even smartphones.

Sam Altman suggests that OpenAI may be developing a new smart device, perhaps glasses or a smart ring that integrates ChatGPT.

According to Bloomberg, OpenAI is expected to launch its first smart device in 2026. Jony Ive will also play an important role in developing future versions of ChatGPT.

Jony Ive joined Apple in 1992 and is considered the "legacy" that Steve Jobs left for Apple. He designed many iconic products such as the iPod, iPad, iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro and was knighted by the British Royal Family in 2012.

After Steve Jobs passed away, Ive was given more responsibility at Apple, including hardware design and software interface. He pursued the philosophy of "simpler, better" and always paid attention to every small detail in design.

Jony Ive left Apple at the end of 2019 after 27 years.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/cong-nghe/openai-chi-65-ty-usd-mua-cong-ty-cua-huyen-thoai-thiet-ke-jony-ive-20250522154750427.htm