OpenAI spends billions to buy Jony Ive's io as Sam Altman bets big on design-led future
OpenAI is officially buying Jony Ive’s hardware startup, io, for more than $6 billion. Yes, you read that right. The folks behind ChatGPT are now writing checks to bring legendary design talent and a brand-new product lab into their orbit.
Sam Altman and Jony Ive have apparently been quietly plotting this partnership for years, according to their announcement. What started as casual brainstorming and a bit of creative daydreaming apparently turned into “tangible designs” that both parties think could change the way we interact with computers.