San Francisco ¨C OpenAI will acquire the AI device startup co-founded by Apple veteran Jony Ive in a nearly $6.5 billion all-stock deal, joining forces with the legendary designer to make a push into hardware.
The purchase ¡ª the largest in OpenAI¡¯s history ¡ª will provide the company with a dedicated unit for developing AI-powered devices. Acquiring the secretive startup, named IO, also will secure the services of Ive and other former Apple designers who were behind iconic products such as the iPhone.
¡°I have a growing sense that everything I¡¯ve learned over the last 30 years has led me to this place and to this moment,¡± Ive said in a joint interview with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman. ¡°It¡¯s a relationship and a way of working together that I think is going to yield products and products and products.¡±
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