Apple legend Jony Ive is set to revolutionize the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with a new partnership at OpenAI. The renowned designer, known for his work on the iMac and iPhone, has joined forces with OpenAI’s Sam Altman in an effort to create cutting-edge AI-native devices.
Ive, who spent nearly three decades at Apple before departing in 2019, initially considered quitting the company when Steve Jobs returned as CEO in 1997. However, a pivotal conversation with Jobs about the company’s mission to “make great products” won him over.
Under Jobs’ mentorship, Ive rose through the ranks and became a key figure in shaping Apple’s design direction. Their mutual admiration and respect for each other’s skills earned Ive a reputation as one of the most well-known tech designers in the world.
Now, Ive is taking his expertise to OpenAI, where he will assume “deep design and creative responsibilities.” His team at startup io has already begun working on an unnamed AI gadget, which Altman described as “the coolest piece that the world will have ever seen.”
The partnership marks a significant milestone for Ive’s next venture, io. The acquisition deal between OpenAI and io is valued at $6.5 billion, solidifying Ive’s commitment to shaping the future of AI.
With this new collaboration, Ive may be joining forces with another influential tech leader, Sam Altman. Their generational difference – 28 years apart – highlights the potential for fresh perspectives in innovation. As Ive embarks on this exciting new chapter, his innovative spirit and design expertise are poised to redefine the possibilities of AI.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/05/25/jony-ive-steve-jobs-apple-tech-silicon-valley-open-ai-sam-altman