OpenAI's first device could be a smart speaker
According to TechCrunch, OpenAI does not hide its ambition to produce hardware products. Some sources previously said the company planned to develop its own phone, which could put it in competition with Apple.
However, Bloomberg said this week that OpenAI's first hardware device is likely to be a smart speaker integrated with artificial intelligence, which can synchronize with ChatGPT and provide home AI services. The device is still in development, doesn't have a screen, and is being introduced internally as a "human-like, indoor-living AI companion."
According to the description, the AI speaker "has a personality" with the ability to proactively learn about the user, thereby providing personalized service. It can even access users' digital lives, collecting information such as emails and other documents. The device also contains "moving mechanical parts," developed with the help of many former Apple engineers who played a key role in helping create products like the iPhone and Mac.
The AI speaker will be capable of controlling smart home devices, playing multimedia content, answering questions, responding to messages, and exploiting the broader capabilities of ChatGPT. The device integrates cameras and sensors to help understand the user's surroundings and context, and uses an advanced AI model that outperforms traditional smart speakers.
According to Reuters, the product can create a new revenue source for OpenAI, which is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO). Last year, the company spent $6.5 billion to acquire IO, the startup of Jony Ive, former design director at Apple, to develop products suitable for the generation AI era.
Information about AI speakers appears while the company is in legal trouble with Apple. Last week, Apple sued two of its former employees and OpenAI, claiming that the company behind ChatGPT carried out a campaign to steal their secrets to develop hardware devices.
"OpenAI stole Apple's trade secrets and confidential information at every level, from technical staff to hardware directors," Apple said in a 41-page application filed in a federal district court in California. The iPhone owner accused OpenAI of deploying a widespread campaign to seize and take advantage of its confidential information through former employees, recruitment processes and relationships with component suppliers.
However, OpenAI denied: "We are not interested in other companies' business secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology and benefiting everyone."