Jony Ive re-enters the computer industry by merging his company, io Products, Inc., with OpenAI for $6.4 billion, focusing on hardware design guided by his expertise.
Apple executives, including Eddy Cue, acknowledge the threat of AI hardware to the company's iPhone business, with Cue mentioning the potential of AI devices replacing iPhones within 10 years.
The collaboration between Jony Ive and OpenAI signifies a shift in technology that could challenge Apple's position in the hardware industry, emphasizing the importance of innovative products in a rapidly evolving market.
Former Apple design veterans like Scott Cannon, Tang Tan, and Evans Hankey, now part of OpenAI, bring valuable expertise to drive advancements in AI hardware, posing a significant competition for Apple.