OpenAI has made a significant power move to propel itself into the AI hardware market, with CEO Sam Altman envisioning himself as Steve Jobs’ natural successor. The move comes as the company pairs up Jony Ive, design guru behind iconic Apple products like the iPhone and iPod, to oversee its big new bet on AI innovation.
Altman has invoked Jobs, saying the Apple founder would be proud of Ive’s involvement, but this analogy raises eyebrows among industry insiders. Jobs was fiercely protective of Apple and would likely have disapproved of Ive’s decision to pursue his next ambitious goal outside the company.
While Altman shares some similarities with Jobs, including a penchant for visionary schemes and a “reality distortion field,” their leadership styles differ significantly. Altman’s approach is more akin to Mark Zuckerberg’s, focusing on rapid product development and early customer feedback.
Despite the comparisons, it’s crucial to recognize that OpenAI’s efforts are part of a larger trend in Silicon Valley. The company aims to harness AI as a new platform for consumer devices, building on the success of the web and smartphones. By doubling down on this bet, OpenAI is positioning itself for a multibillion-dollar hardware market.
However, Altman’s recent ousting from his CEO role by the nonprofit board controlling OpenAI has raised questions about the company’s governance. As he works to raise billions for its mission of creating advanced AI that benefits humanity, Altman must navigate these challenges and ensure OpenAI’s success in its ambitious pursuit of innovation.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/24/sam-altman-ai-steve-jobs-apple