OpenAI has cemented its name in the tech industry through its ChatGPT and flagship AI models like GPT-5.2, but the company is looking do a little bit more, specifically in the hardware landscape.
Last year, the ChatGPT maker made several strategic moves that suggest it could be looking to dabble in hardware development. For context, the firm hired former Apple chief designer Jony Ive to lead operations in its hardware department. It also acquired Ive's AI device startup, io, for approximately $6.5 billion to bolster its advances in the space.
Now, it's public knowledge that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been working closely with Apple's former design legend Jony Ive on a hardware device that could lead to the biggest tech disruption since the iPhone launch in 2007. However, details about the project have remained under wraps.
Subtle hints about the development of the device have slipped over the past few months, including Altman revealing that the company is developing a small family of devices to reinvent human-computer interaction.
Late last year, Jony Ive and Sam Altman confirmed that OpenAI finally has a prototype for its super-secret AI device, which could potentially launch in less than 2 years.
However, in an exclusive report by Axios, OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane revealed that it is getting ready to announce its first hardware device in the second half of 2026.
While the ChatGPT maker hasn't disclosed more details about the device, multiple reports from Asian outlets and leakers suggest that OpenAI's first device could be a pair of earbuds (via TechCrunch).
The reports suggest that OpenAI's earbuds will be sophisticated compared to existing offerings. As you might have guessed, the device will be deeply integrated with AI technology, possibly ChatGPT, with a custom 2-nanometer processor. However, rather than sending requests to the cloud, the device will handle assigned AI tasks locally.
Another report from a Taiwanese newspaper claims that OpenAI could be looking to partner with China-based Luxshare for manufacturing, but the company could close the deal with Taiwan’s Foxconn. Additionally, the company plans to ship approximately 40-50 million units in the first year of sales.
This could be OpenAI's attempt to get a direct line to users through its new hardware entry for its AI models and ChatGPT offerings, like Google with Android. While ChatGPT boasts close to 1 billion weekly users, it remains to be seen whether they'll ditch current offerings for OpenAI's AI earbuds.
Will OpenAI's rumored AI earbuds cause the biggest tech disruption since the iPhone launch? Share your thoughts in the comments and cast your vote!
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