I really hope OpenAI's new hardware doesn't make me talk to myself in public.

Jony Ive has been called the "world's greatest designer." He created the look and feel of the iPhone, perhaps the most culture-changing device of the 21st century. Now Ive is joining OpenAI, hoping to create another transformative piece of personal technology.

The big news in the technology world this week is that ChatGPT maker OpenAI is working more closely with Apple's former design chief Jony Ive

Sam Altman told his staff that Microsoft (MSFT)-backed OpenAI aims to ship 100M AI “companion” devices meant for everyday life, and to release the first by late 2026, The Wall Street Journal’s Berber Jin reports.

This marks a notable shift for OpenAI, which has primarily focused on developing AI software, such as the GPT series and its popular ChatGPT platform. The move into hardware could reflect a growing industry trend where AI is being embedded into physical devices for more natural and immediate user experiences.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, OpenAI and Jony Ive are planning a neck-worn AI device with a similar form factor to the iPod Shuffle.