Sam Altman Teams Up with Jony Ive on AI Project Possibly Involving Screenless Devices

Rumors suggest that the AI project jointly advanced by Sam Altman and Jony Ive has captured significant industry attention. The hardware startup they are collaborating on, named io Products, is actively exploring the development of a screenless, smartphone-like device.

In today’s environment where most smart devices rely heavily on screens for interaction, io Products’ vision appears remarkably distinctive. The absence of a screen—the traditional interface for information display and user interaction—implies the need for entirely new methods of interaction and experience design. This likely indicates that the project will deeply integrate AI technology, utilizing diverse interaction methods such as voice, gestures, and sensors to enable seamless communication between users and devices.

Beyond its screenless smartphone-like product, io Products also plans to enter the “AI - powered home devices” market. As the smart home market continues to grow rapidly, consumer demand for smarter and more convenient household gadgets is increasing. This strategic move reflects the project's ambition to revolutionize home life by leveraging AI technology to create a more intelligent and humanized living environment.

Notably, OpenAI has reportedly shown strong interest in the project. Sources indicate that OpenAI considered acquiring io Products and its engineering team for at least $500 million. This acquisition interest not only highlights the potential and value of io Products but also underscores the fierce competition within the AI sector for hardware innovation and top talent.

Currently, all of io Products’ initiatives remain in the exploratory phase. The success of their screenless smartphone-like device and AI - empowered home devices still remains to be seen.