Altman and Ive’s first AI device might be a pen

Sam Altman and Jony Ive are collaborating on a new AI device, following Altman’s acquisition of Ive’s startup for $6.5 billion, with a video teasing a “family” of AI devices, according to Bloomberg.

OpenAI has maintained secrecy regarding its specific plans for this new device. Information from recent filings in an unrelated court case indicates that the initial AI device will not incorporate a screen. Additionally, it will not be designed as a wearable item. These specifications suggest a departure from devices such as the Humane Pin, an AI gadget that did not achieve market success. Max Child, founder of Volley, has theorized that the device could take the form of a pen.

Child’s company develops voice-based games for smart speakers, including Amazon Inc.’s Echo, providing him with insights into non-screen device functionalities. His theory posits that a pen form factor could integrate a projector at its top, capable of casting images onto hard surfaces. The pen’s clip might house a microphone and potentially a camera, enabling both text scanning for analysis and broader environmental awareness. This design aligns with the concept of AI tools functioning as daily companions, emphasizing constant monitoring or surveillance as a foundational element for their utility.

Altman informed staff in May that the device would be designed to fit into a pocket or rest on a desk. This detail was reported by The Wall Street Journal based on a recording of the meeting. The device is intended to possess full awareness of its user’s surroundings. Its role is envisioned as a “third device,” designed to complement, rather than replace, a smartphone. The design philosophy emphasizes an unobtrusive presence.

A pen aligns with these design parameters, including its familiarity, which could reduce adoption barriers. Its form factor would also appear natural in a desk setting. Ive possesses a personal interest in pens, evidenced by his collection, which includes a vintage Montegrappa fountain pen and a Hermes pen designed by Marc Newson. He was significantly involved in the design of the Apple Pencil. An early commercial success in his career was the design of the TX2 pen.

Friend, a San Francisco-based startup, produces an “always listening” pendant equipped with a built-in microphone. This device is an early entrant into the AI device sector. A user might query the pendant, via a designated app, about a previous conversation, such as, “How did my chat with Kevin go earlier?” In a demonstration video, the pendant interrupts a young woman during lunch with a text message inquiry: “How’s the falafel?”

She verbally responds, “It’s dank. I could eat one of these every day.” This demonstrates the conversational interaction model envisioned for such AI tools. The broader context suggests that pervasive monitoring will become normalized, particularly when paired with AI tools presented as companions offering convenience. Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., and Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft Corp.’s consumer AI chief, advocate for consumers to engage with AI as regularly as they would with a friend.

Altman stated that Ive’s initial prototype of the device “completely captured his imagination.” He also communicated to staff that Ive’s team could contribute $1 trillion in value to OpenAI. This valuation perspective highlights Altman’s belief in the potential market impact of Ive’s design contributions. The objective is to secure a first-mover advantage, similar to ChatGPT’s success, within the emerging market of AI devices.

Other companies are also entering this domain. Both Meta and Alphabet Inc. are developing smart glasses. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has reported that Apple is integrating cameras into its AirPods and smartwatches, intending to transform them into AI gadgets. Ive’s minimalist design philosophy could differentiate OpenAI’s initial offering, potentially appealing to consumers who harbor reservations about increasing technological intrusion into their daily lives. The intent is for the device to feel less like technology and more like an integrated, natural element.

Featured image credit