Swedish tech entrepreneur Sebastian Siemiatkowski, the founder of Klarna, has made a significant investment in a secret AI startup called “io”. The $3.6 billion seed investment was part of a “mini portfolio” that also included three other US-based AI companies. However, io stands out for receiving 70% of its funds, leaving many questions unanswered.
Six months after the initial investment, Siemiatkowski revealed that io was founded in 2024 by Jony Ive, the iconic British-American designer behind Apple’s iMac, iPod, iPhone, and more. The news came just days before tech billionaire Sam Altman announced OpenAI’s acquisition of io for $6.4 billion.
The move has sparked curiosity among investors, with former Google designer Luke Wroblewski deleting his social media posts announcing the deal. Sutter Hill Ventures, a prominent tech funding firm, also chose to remain mum on the matter, fueling speculation about their involvement in the deal.
As OpenAI’s acquisition of io raises questions about the secrecy surrounding the transaction, the attention is also drawn to Sam Altman’s ambitious plan for an “AI companion” device. With plans to roll out 100 million units by 2026, the future of this project remains shrouded in mystery, leaving many to wonder if it’s worth the secrecy and hype.
Source: https://futurism.com/weird-io-openai