Open AI CEO Sam Altman recently shared intriguing insights regarding the future of AI and its integration into devices. In a discussion with MIT Technology Review during his visit to Cambridge, Massachusetts, Altman questioned the necessity of new hardware for interacting with AI technologies. Despite the excitement surrounding AI gadgets, Altman confessed that creating consumer hardware isn’t his expertise.
These remarks come amid speculation that Altman, possibly collaborating with Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief design officer, might be developing an “iPhone of AI.” Reports suggest Altman’s potential venture into AI device development, with discussions involving notable figures like Jony Ive and Masayoshi Son.
Altman envisions a future where AI primarily resides in the cloud, rather than in physical devices. He imagines AI applications functioning as ultra-informed colleagues, intimately familiar with users’ lives, yet operating independently. This vision contrasts with the trend of AI devices hitting the market, with mixed responses. While some products, like Rabbit’s R1, have sold out quickly, others, like the AI Pin by Humane, have faced criticism.
Meanwhile, Apple is anticipated to unveil significant AI-focused updates at its WWDC 2024 event, potentially collaborating with OpenAI and Google to introduce cloud-based chatbots across its platforms. Altman’s comments prompt reflection on the evolving role of AI and its integration into everyday devices without necessarily requiring new hardware.
