• Announcement on Wednesday: OpenAI announced that former Apple design chief Jony Ive and his firm LoveFrom will take over creative and design control at OpenAI. The deal makes Ive responsible for AI product look and feel across all OpenAI ventures including ChatGPT.
• Ive's Apple career: He was Apple's chief design officer for nearly three decades, leading design of iconic products like iPhone, iPad, etc., earning awards and transforming Apple.
• OpenAI tweet: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tweeted about partnering with Ive, sharing a 9-minute video about their relationship.
• Screenshot: A screenshot of the Jony Ive / Sam Altman collaboration website was captured.
• Ive's departure from Apple: He left Apple in 2019 to found LoveFrom which has worked with companies like Ferrari, Airbnb, etc.
• Ive-OpenAI deal details: OpenAI will acquire Ive's "io" in an all-equity deal valued at $6.5 billion. Io's staff will join OpenAI. LoveFrom will operate independently with OpenAI as a customer and receiving a stake. The transaction is expected to close this summer pending regulatory approval.
• Focus on beyond screens: The deal is not a surprise as they have been working on a new device for two years aiming to reduce screen time. The collaboration focuses on creating devices like headphones and those with cameras. Ive's work at OpenAI will extend to future ChatGPT versions, audio features, etc.
• Marketing focus: A big part of marketing is the reported friendship between Altman and Ive. Altman hopes the team-up can bring back the delight of using an Apple computer. Ive said his past experiences led him to this moment.