Who is Jony Ive? OpenAI acquires Jony Ive's $6.5 billion AI device startup; here's what it means for the future of AI design

OpenAI has acquired io, an AI hardware startup founded by legendary designer Sir Jony Ive, in a $6.4 billion all-equity deal. This strategic move marks OpenAI's bold expansion beyond software into the realm of consumer devices. Ive, best known for designing Apple’s iconic products, will take on key creative roles across OpenAI and io. The acquisition underscores OpenAI’s vision to merge cutting-edge AI with world-class design, aiming to develop intuitive, human-centric products. As AI continues to evolve, OpenAI is positioning itself to shape how people interact with intelligent systems through innovative, thoughtfully designed hardware solutions.



OpenAI unites with Chief Design Officer of Apple Jony Ive to create AI devices

On May 21, 2025, OpenAI formally announced it would acquire io, a relatively new AI devices company founded by Jony Ive, the former Chief Design Officer of Apple. The acquisition is valued at $6.4 billion, paid entirely in equity. Importantly, this amount includes OpenAI’s earlier investment in io, effectively consolidating its prior financial and strategic interest into full ownership. This deal represents OpenAI’s largest acquisition to date, dwarfing previous deals such as the $3 billion acquisition of coding assistant platform Windsurf and the purchase of Rockset, a real-time analytics startup.



Jony Ive journey from Apple to AI


Sir Jony Ive is most famous for defining the design language of consumer electronics in the modern era. His contributions at Apple resulted in the design of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, MacBook Air, and many more iconic products. Since his departure from Apple in 2019, he has founded LoveFrom, a design studio that has worked with clients such as Airbnb, Ferrari, and Christie's.

Now, as part of the deal, Ive is taking on “deep creative and design responsibilities” across both OpenAI and io, according to a statement co-authored by Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. His involvement signals OpenAI’s intent to bring thoughtful, elegant design to AI interfaces—moving away from purely technical solutions to more emotionally intelligent and user-centric products.



Jony Ive and team aim to redefine human-AI interaction

Even though io was founded just a year ago, it made waves because of the caliber of its founders. In addition to Ive, the leadership group comprised:

• Scott Cannon – a past Apple hardware engineering executive
• Tang Tan – renowned for significant contributions to Apple's industrial design
• Evans Hankey – took over temporarily as Chief Design Officer at Apple after Ive's exit

The company was founded with the vision to craft AI-powered consumer products that "inspire, empower and enable." While little is known so far of actual products, industry rumor suggests the creation of a new-generation AI gadget—maybe a rethought personal assistant or wearable AI. With this acquisition, the io team will now merge with OpenAI’s San Francisco-based research, engineering, and product teams, creating a direct pipeline between hardware innovation and AI software development.



Jony Ive leads OpenAI’s push into AI-powered consumer hardware

This buy is a big strategic shift for OpenAI: from a software-first business to a company capable of constructing, designing, and shipping smart devices. With ever-more sophisticated AI models, the necessity for thoughtfully designed physical interfaces becomes critical. OpenAI seems to be looking toward the future when:

• AI will no longer exist exclusively in the cloud or on a screen
• User experiences must be tactile, ambient, and seamlessly integrated into daily life
• Hardware must evoke trust, delight, and intuitive interaction

This hardware emphasis also aligns with broader industry trends. Competitors such as Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk’s xAI are racing to develop AI-powered gadgets and robotics. OpenAI’s response is to integrate not only top-tier AI capabilities but also world-class design and usability, thanks to Jony Ive and his team.


Jony Ive and Caitlin Kalinowski to shape OpenAI’s hardware future

Further bolstering OpenAI’s hardware ambitions is the recent hiring of Caitlin ‘CK’ Kalinowski, the former head of Meta’s AR glasses initiative. Kalinowski now leads OpenAI’s robotics and consumer device division, and has stated her mission is to “bring AI into the physical world and unlock its benefits for humanity.”

Her technical expertise, supplemented by io's design leadership, paves the way for a new generation of AI-native products—possibly fusing robotics, wearables, and ambient computing. While Jony Ive will be adding design leadership at OpenAI, his firm LoveFrom will be independent. The upscale design advisory boutique, recognized for its work with ultra-premium clients, will carry on separately. Some of its corporate clients pay more than $200 million a year for its services, according to The New York Times report.



OpenAI and Jony Ive : A focused collaboration to shape the future of AI

This suggests that Ive’s involvement with OpenAI and io will be a focused collaboration, rather than a full business merger. It allows Ive to maintain creative freedom while playing a key role in shaping OpenAI’s next hardware leap. The OpenAI-io acquisition is not just a merger—it's a transformational message to the market that the future of AI evolution will be physical. If AI models are going to be integral to communication, productivity, health, and home life, the devices that bring these experiences must also become equally smart and human. OpenAI is betting that in a crowded race of LLMs and algorithms, form will matter as much as function. And with Jony Ive at the helm of design, the company is making a bold statement: the future of AI isn’t just smart—it’s beautifully built.





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