Is a ChatGPT phone in the works? OpenAI is ‘in talks’ with iPhone designer Jony Ive to create an AI device

By William On Sep 29, 2023

ChatGPT is preparing to take on Apple in a groundbreaking move to create an ‘iPhone with artificial intelligence’, a report claims.

Ex-iPhone designer Sir Jony Ive is in ‘advanced talks’ with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as the pair attempt to launch an AI-centric device to the mass market.

The device, which is still in the brainstorming phase, aims to seamlessly integrate AI that is “more natural” for users to navigate, according to The Financial Times.

It’s a leap that has been likened to the revolution of Apple’s first touchscreen device in 2007, but comes as many believe Tim Cook’s innovation has hit a plateau.

Billionaire Masayoshi Son, who founded Japanese telecom giant SoftBank, is also said to be involved in the talks and has even proposed $1 billion in funds.

The device, which is still in the brainstorming phase, aims to seamlessly integrate AI that is more “natural” for users to navigate

Ex-iPhone designer Sir Jony Ive (pictured left with Apple CEO Tim Cook, right) is in ‘advanced talks’ with OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, as the pair attempt to launch an AI-centric device to the mass market

But Jake Moore, a cybersecurity expert at ESET, warns that an AI-focused phone should be developed with caution due to the model’s innate hunger for data.

“OpenAI and other generative AI companies are desperate to fill their algorithms with the most important ingredient: data,” he told MailOnline.

‘Every time people use ChatGPT they are giving away information and sometimes this can be personal.

‘By creating a physical device connected to a ChatGPT account, it would potentially give away even more information to the company, such as geolocation data, phone number, home address and other account details, potentially even more sensitive data such as contacts or access to images as seen we to some intrusive apps.’

Sir Ive left Apple after 22 years in 2019 and has since worked on numerous impressive projects, including King Charles III’s coronation emblem and a Ferrari electric vehicle.

But he is most remembered for his pivotal role in the development of the first iPhone, released sixteen years ago in 2007.

Unlike its competitors, Samsung and BlackBerry, the first iPhone showcased a revolutionary touchscreen that has been found on every model since.

During his time at Apple, Jony Ive was widely regarded as one of the most influential designers of the decade. He played a crucial role in creating the first iPhone about sixteen years ago, in 2007.

ChatGPT was founded in Silicon Valley in 2015 by a group of American investors, including current CEO Sam Altman (pictured)

But it’s possible that Sir Ive’s new AI-focused vision will pave the way for users to become less dependent on their screens.

In 2018, the former iPhone designer said The Financial Times that he had a “moral responsibility” to steer consumers away from excessive screen time.

This week, ChatGPT also launched a number of groundbreaking features, including in-app voice control and the ability to browse the web using photos instead of text.

This is because millions around the world already use the platform to generatee humanoid poems, code, and various other written works using text prompts.

While discussions at Sir Ive’s San Fransisco studio are said to be ‘serious’, it is still too early to know what the AI gadget will look like as no official deal has been struck yet.

It could also take years for the hardware for such a device to materialize – with the first iPhone developed in just over two years.

MailOnline has contacted OpenAI, Mr Son and Sir Ive’s representatives for comment.

Is a ChatGPT phone in the works? OpenAI is ‘in talks’ with iPhone designer Jony Ive to create an AI device

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