OpenAI is making a major move by acquiring io, a startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
Ive and his design firm LoveFrom will lead creative and design work at OpenAI but will continue to operate independently.
Io brings with it a team of around 55 experts — including former Apple designers like Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey and Tang Tan.
OpenAI is making a major move by acquiring io, a startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive. This all-equity deal values the startup at $6.5 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. Ive and his design firm began collaborating with OpenAI and Sam Altman two years ago, the AI giant revealed. Altman shared his excitement on X, saying, “thrilled to be partnering with jony, imo the greatest designer in the world. excited to try to create a new generation of AI-powered computers.”
The deal is a major step for OpenAI, which has been expanding its consumer products since ChatGPT’s launch in 2022. Earlier this month, it appointed former Meta and Instacart executive Fidji Simo to lead its consumer applications.
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Io brings with it a team of around 55 experts — including former Apple designers like Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey and Tang Tan, according to the report. Ive and his design firm LoveFrom will lead creative and design work at OpenAI but will continue to operate independently.
Altman and Ive have reportedly been building a device that moves consumers beyond screens. Bloomberg reports that the first device could arrive in 2026. OpenAI already reportedly owned a 23 percent stake in io from a previous deal, meaning it will now pay about $5 billion to acquire the rest.
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In a video posted by OpenAI, Altman explained the goal is to create a family of AI devices that help people use AI to create “all sorts of wonderful things.” Ive shared that everything he has learned “over the last 30 years has led me to this place and this moment.” He said the first product they’re working on has “completely captured” his imagination.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
