OpenAI mulls taking over Jony Ive's AI startup for $500 million

Sam Altman's OpenAI has discussed acquiring Altman and Jony Ive's startup firm that is designing at least one household AI device.Jony IveJony Ive left Apple in 2019 to found his own design company, LoveFrom, and has since hired many ex-Apple staff, including his own replacement, Evans Hankey. Ive also hired ex-Apple design lead Tang Tan specifically to work on the AI startup collaboration with Sam Altman.Now according to The Information, this startup is called "io Projects," and OpenAI has discussed buying it outright for at least $500 million. If this happens, OpenAI would acquire the AI designs plus the engineers who are working on it. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apr 7, 2025 - 15:50
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OpenAI mulls taking over Jony Ive's AI startup for $500 million
Sam Altman's OpenAI has discussed acquiring Altman and Jony Ive's startup firm that is designing at least one household AI device.

Bald man with stubble and a blue shirt looking slightly to the right, set against a plain white background.
Jony Ive

Jony Ive left Apple in 2019 to found his own design company, LoveFrom, and has since hired many ex-Apple staff, including his own replacement, Evans Hankey. Ive also hired ex-Apple design lead Tang Tan specifically to work on the AI startup collaboration with Sam Altman.

Now according to The Information, this startup is called "io Projects," and OpenAI has discussed buying it outright for at least $500 million. If this happens, OpenAI would acquire the AI designs plus the engineers who are working on it.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums