Ex-Apple devices designer Sir Jony Ive joining OpenAI

Legendary designer Sir Jony Ive, who is responsible for creating the look of Apple’s devices, is joining OpenAI.

Former Apple designer Sir Jony Ive is joining OpenAI.

Sam Altman, the CEO of the artificial intelligence research organisation, OpenAI, is “thrilled” to be “partnering” with the 58-year-old “greatest designer in the world”, who was responsible for creating the iconic look of Apple’s iPhone, iPad, iMac and iPod devices.

OpenAI has purchased Jony’s AI hardware startup firm, io, in a $6.5 billion deal.

And the hope now is the two firms will “try to create a new generation of AI-powered computers”.

OpenAI and io’s partnership comes as Jony and the creative collective LoveFrom collaborated with Sam, 40, and the OpenAI team in 2023.

Jony said: “I have a growing sense that everything I have learned over the last 30 years has led me to this moment.

“While I am both anxious and excited about the responsibility of the substantial work ahead, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an important collaboration. The values and vision of Sam and the teams at OpenAI and io are a rare inspiration.

“I am reminded of a time, three decades ago, when I emigrated to America. As a designer, I was drawn to the exhilarating and innocent optimism of Silicon Valley, to collaborate with people driven to create amazing products that elevate humanity.”

And Sam thinks Jony and his team are the right people to enhance AI through their expertise with the “intersection of technology, design, and understanding people and the world”.

Sam said: “AI is an incredible technology, but great tools require work at the intersection of technology, design, and understanding people and the world. No one can do this like Jony and his team; the amount of care they put into every aspect of the process is extraordinary.

“What it means to use technology can change in a profound way. I hope we can bring some of the delight, wonder and creative spirit that I first felt using an Apple Computer 30 years ago.”