OpenAI’s first AI smart speaker designed by Jony Ive, to be launched before 2027

Open AI, the company that made ChatGPT, is now preparing to enter the world of hardware. According to reports, the company is making its first AI-powered smart speaker. This step shows that Open AI no longer wants to be limited to just software, but also wants to enter the consumer hardware segment.

Who is in charge of the design? Open AI has given the responsibility of hardware design to former Apple designer Jony Ive. The company has also acquired his design firm ‘io’. It is being told that a team of about 200 people is working on new hardware projects.

How will the smart speaker work?
According to reports, this smart speaker can come with an inbuilt camera.

• It will be able to recognize its surrounding environment.
• Will be able to detect things kept nearby.
• Will be able to identify the user.
• May be able to understand conversations going on in the room.
• This device can provide the facility of face recognition along with answering questions like a normal AI assistant. That means the user can unlock the device or make purchases through his face. This can make both voice and visual interactions easier.

Privacy and security concerns
The biggest question is about privacy. It is being told that this device can not only understand the ‘wake word’ like a traditional smart speaker, but can also understand the conversation in the room. This will improve personalization, but may increase concerns regarding data collection and biometric security.

Open AI has not yet clarified how it will protect user data and privacy.

Price and launch timeline
According to reports, this smart speaker will not be launched before the beginning of 2027. Its price in America can be between 200 to 300 dollars (approximately ₹ 18,000 to ₹ 27,000). This step of Open AI can prove to be a big change in the direction of connecting AI and hardware together.