Challenges Faced by OpenAI and Jony Ive in Developing New AI Devices

OpenAI and designer Jony Ive, who previously worked at Apple, are encountering difficulties in creating a screenless artificial intelligence device, according to the Financial Times.

The report states that the companies aim to develop a "pocket-sized screenless device" that responds to voice commands and visual cues from the environment. However, the team has yet to resolve issues related to the device's "personality," privacy protection, and the data processing infrastructure.

FT sources indicate that the concept entails a constantly active mode, where the device could initiate interactions on its own, but developers have struggled to achieve stable behavior—specifically, ensuring that the device speaks only when appropriate.

It’s worth noting that in May 2025, OpenAI acquired the startup io, founded by Ive and Sam Altman, for $6.5 billion. At that time, Altman stated that Ive's team would help create a "new generation of AI-based computers." The first devices were planned to be introduced in 2026, but current challenges may delay the launch.