OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and renowned designer Jony Ive have announced a merger between OpenAI and a lesser-known but ambitious company called “io.”
Sam Altman announces OpenAI-io merger
The announcement, delivered in a visually striking press release, reveals that this move is aimed at building a new class of AI-powered tools and products—hardware that reflects the evolving intelligence of computers in ways everyday users can actually experience.
Altman and Ive described this development as “an extraordinary moment.” According to them, while artificial intelligence has advanced rapidly—now capable of seeing, thinking, and understanding—users are still limited to traditional computers, phones, and software interfaces. The merger aims to change that.
Two years ago, Jony Ive and his creative agency LoveFrom began quietly collaborating with OpenAI. What started as a casual partnership, built on mutual curiosity and shared values, turned into a deeper relationship. Together, the teams explored how to make the power of AI accessible through intuitive, beautifully designed products.
As the ideas grew in scope, Jony Ive formally launched “io” one year ago. He was joined by notable industry figures including Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan. The goal was to build new hardware—products that are not only functional but also emotionally appealing and inspiring.
In a joint statement, the two teams explained that io was assembled with “the best hardware and software engineers, technologists, physicists, scientists, researchers, and product development experts.”
Many of the team members have a long history of working together, particularly from their time at Apple, where Ive previously led design.
Now, io will merge directly with OpenAI. The io team will work from San Francisco, where OpenAI is based, and the collaboration will become much closer and more hands-on. Jony Ive and his agency LoveFrom will take on deep design and creative leadership roles across both io and OpenAI projects.
The announcement avoids hard technical details or specific product names. However, the tone signals a new chapter where advanced AI could be embedded into physical tools—ones that feel more human, elegant, and useful.
“This is an extraordinary moment,” the statement repeats, suggesting that the companies believe this is a turning point in how AI is integrated into our daily lives—not just through apps, but through new kinds of products altogether.
