Sam Altman's OpenAI acquires AI device firm founded by iPhone designer Jony Ive for $6.5 billion
In a major development, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently struck a deal to acquire io, the product-development startup company founded by Jony Ive, who is also the former Apple design chief behind the iPhone. OpenAI cracked the deal valued at $6.5 billion.
According to Variety, the all-stock deal is so far OpenAI's biggest acquisition to date. Meanwhile, privately held OpenAI earlier owned a 23 per cent minority stake in io, which was founded by Ive in 2024.
The report also notes that the pact will merge the team of Ive's iO, including a group of 55 engineers, designers, and researchers who are focused on developing products that may inspire and empower people, with OpenAI to work more intimately with the research, product teams, and engineering in San Francisco.
— Sam Altman (@sama) May 21, 2025thrilled to be partnering with jony, imo the greatest designer in the world.
excited to try to create a new generation of AI-powered computers. pic.twitter.com/IPZBNrz1jQ
In a blog post, OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, revealed that their partnership has been two years in the making. He went on to state that the purchase is so far the biggest known acquisition of OpenAI to date.
It is also a part of Ive's bigger project called LoveFrom, which identifies itself as a "creative collective” made up of architects, artists, engineers, various types of designers, musicians, and writers.
Meanwhile, the specifics about what kinds of products OpenAI plans to develop with Ive, who was the driving force behind many of Apple's products, including the iPhone, the iPod, and the iMac, have not been disclosed yet.
Credit: @m_gonullu
The intimate project revolves around a new device that is set to move consumers beyond the screens, with OpenAI and io, including options like headphones and other devices with cameras, as per the Wall Street Journal.
According to the New York Times, the main goal for Ive's AI-based product is to be "less socially disruptive than the iPhone. Well, OpenAI in a statement said that they think with the deal, Ive is anticipating deep creative and design responsibilities across OpenAI and io.
Ive was formerly Apple's chief design officer, and led the tech company and its award-winning design team since 1996. He joined the company in 1992 and left Apple in 2019.
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