OpenAI acquires Johnny Ive’s startup io for $6.5 billion

OpenAI has acquired io, the design startup founded by legendary Apple designer Johnny Ive, for $6.5 billion, reports Habr. Of the total, $5 billion will be paid in OpenAI shares. The deal is expected to close in summer 2025.

Back in 2023, Johnny Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discussed the possibility of creating a new AI-era device. Now, the collaboration has become official.

It is believed that io is developing a personal assistant device based on ChatGPT. According to Altman, it will not replace smartphones or laptops — “it’s a whole new kind of thing.” The device is expected to launch in 2026.

Fifty-five engineers from io will join OpenAI. Ive himself will not work at OpenAI, but his studio LoveFrom will remain independent and handle design work for all OpenAI products — including software like ChatGPT.

Johnny Ive worked at Apple from 1992 to 2019 and led the design of iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and more. He also redesigned iOS 7 and macOS.

After leaving Apple, Ive founded LoveFrom, whose clients include Apple, Airbnb, and Ferrari. In 2023, LoveFrom helped design the 50th anniversary edition of Linn’s Sondek LP12 turntable. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!