The secretive AI hardware device designed by former Apple design chief Jony Ive and developed for ChatGPT maker OpenAI has reportedly been delayed as the company struggles with three fundamental challenges. Despite being one of the most anticipated collaborations in the tech world, the project—internally known as io—remains undefined in both design and function.
Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman first teased the device earlier this year, describing it as a breakthrough in human-AI interaction. They made it clear that it would not be a smartphone or a pair of smart glasses, nor would it resemble any familiar form of wearable tech. Instead, they hinted at a new category of personal device that blends ambient computing with emotional intelligence, aiming to create something that feels intuitive and human without relying on a screen.
However, the project’s progress has been slowed by three critical issues. The first and most significant is computing power. The io device is expected to deliver the capabilities of ChatGPT in a portable form; however, OpenAI is reportedly struggling to acquire enough compute capacity, even for its existing products. Running advanced AI models continuously on a small, battery-powered device presents major technical challenges. As one insider explained to the Financial Times, OpenAI “is struggling to get enough compute for ChatGPT, let alone an AI device.”
The second problem is privacy. The device is said to be “always on,” with cameras and microphones that constantly monitor the environment to provide contextual responses. Unlike smart speakers that rely on a wake word, this design means the device would be perpetually listening and watching. This raises significant privacy and security concerns, particularly regarding data storage and user consent. Balancing constant awareness with trust is proving difficult for the design and engineering teams.
The third issue lies in personality. OpenAI and Ive are reportedly trying to create an assistant that feels like a companion without being intrusive or overly familiar. The goal, according to one source, is to design “a friend who’s a computer who isn’t your weird AI girlfriend.” Engineers have struggled to determine how conversational or expressive the device should be, and when it should speak or stay silent. These behavioral nuances are crucial to the product’s identity but remain unresolved.
Despite the setbacks, Ive has confirmed that the project is broader than a single product. Speaking at OpenAI’s developer conference, he mentioned that his team has come up with “15 to 20 really compelling” product ideas as part of a “family of devices” designed to make users feel “more peaceful, and less anxious, and less disconnected.” Altman, meanwhile, acknowledged that “hardware is hard” but remains optimistic that their work could redefine how people interact with artificial intelligence.
The io device, expected to be palm-sized and screenless, represents OpenAI’s first major step into the hardware space. Yet with ongoing delays, limited compute capacity, and unresolved privacy concerns, the path to release remains uncertain. If the team succeeds, it could mark the beginning of a new era of ambient AI companions. For now, however, OpenAI’s collaboration with Jony Ive is still in development, with more questions than answers.
