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17h ago

OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive's AI Hardware Startup io in $6.5 Billion Deal

The acquisition integrates io’s design team and appoints Ive’s LoveFrom to lead creative efforts across OpenAI ahead of planned 2026 product launches.

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Jony Ive (left) and Sam Altman are teaming up
Jony Ive speak onstage during Vox Media's 2022 Code Conference. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Vox Media)

Overview

  • OpenAI has agreed to acquire Jony Ive’s AI hardware startup io for $6.5 billion in an all-stock deal, including its prior 23% stake in the company.
  • Jony Ive, renowned for his iconic Apple designs, and his design firm LoveFrom will oversee all design and creative responsibilities for OpenAI and io.
  • The 55-person io team, including former Apple engineers and designers, will merge with OpenAI's research and engineering teams in San Francisco.
  • The acquisition marks OpenAI’s largest to date, following recent purchases of Windsurf and Rockset, and reflects its strategy to expand into AI-powered consumer hardware.
  • OpenAI and Ive’s first AI hardware products are expected to debut in 2026, with speculation about devices introducing new ways to interact with AI.