Jony Ive and OpenAI Working on AI Device With No Screen [Kuo]

OpenAI and Jony Ive are working on a prototype AI device that features a compact and elegant design, no display, and can be worn around the neck, according to a new report from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The wearable device is said to include cameras and microphones for environmental sensing and will rely on a connected smartphone or PC for computing and display functions.

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My industry research indicates the following regarding the new AI hardware device from Jony Ive's collaboration with OpenAI:
1. Mass production is expected to start in 2027.
2. Assembly and shipping will occur outside China to reduce geopolitical risks, with Vietnam currently the likely assembly location.
3. The current prototype is slightly larger than the AI Pin, with a form factor as compact and elegant as an iPod Shuffle. The design and specifications may change before mass production.
4. One of the intended use cases is wearing the device around the neck.
5. It will have cameras and microphones for environmental detection, with no display functionality.
6. It is expected to connect to smartphones and PCs, utilizing their computing and display capabilities.
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Kuo describes the current prototype as slightly larger than the Humane AI Pin but similarly compact and elegant as an iPod shuffle. The lack of a screen sets it apart from most consumer devices, positioning it firmly within the emerging category of "physical AI."


Mass production is expected in 2027, though Kuo notes the design and specifications could still change before launch.

The device is the result of OpenAI's recent acquisition of Jony Ive's AI hardware company, io, a move aimed at creating a new generation of AI-first devices shaped by Ive's design philosophy. Early concepts reportedly included wearable hardware like headphones with embedded cameras.

Kuo also revealed that OpenAI plans to assemble and ship the product outside of China—most likely in Vietnam—to minimize geopolitical risk.

He speculates that OpenAI's recent announcement of this collaboration may be intended to divert attention from Google's AI advancements showcased at I/O 2025, and to reframe the narrative around OpenAI's ambitions in real-world hardware integration.


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