Tan Tang, Apple's outgoing vice president of iPhone and watch product design, is poised to join a pioneering AI hardware project spearheaded by Jony Ive, the iconic designer behind Apple's success, and Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. The venture, still in its nascent stages, aims to revolutionize the field of artificial intelligence by crafting cutting-edge devices. Speculation about this collaboration arose when reports surfaced suggesting that Ive and Altman were working on the 'iPhone' of AI. However, Altman refuted such claims, emphasizing that their project is distinct from an 'iPhone' of AI. Tang's transition to Ive's design firm, LoveFrom, signals a potential paradigm shift in the tech industry, with his expertise expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the appearance and capabilities of the forthcoming products. This collaboration represents one of Ive's most ambitious undertakings since departing from Apple in 2019.

According to the Bloomberg report, Altman, a key figure in modern AI, will be responsible for providing the software foundation for the project. Despite some controversy surrounding his fundraising efforts, Altman has been actively seeking potential investors, including SoftBank Group chairman Masayoshi Son, for a multibillion-dollar investment in the new venture.The backdrop of this venture is a notable talent drain at Apple, with approximately 14 members of Ive's former team departing since 2019. LoveFrom, Ive's design firm, has managed to attract a roster of high-profile clients and has successfully onboarded over 20 former Apple employees. Notably, the project is currently exploring concepts for home devices. The collaboration between Ive and Tang, alongside Altman's software expertise, underscores the project's potential to redefine the landscape of AI hardware.

Contrary to earlier rumors, Altman, during a tech conference by The Wall Street Journal in October, denied the notion of working with Jony Ive on an 'iPhone of AI' device. He asserted that while there might be an exceptional project in the future, its nature remains unknown. Altman clarified that he is not interested in competing with smartphones, acknowledging their remarkable capabilities. Instead, he highlighted OpenAI's nascent exploration into consumer hardware, expressing a keen interest in discovering a groundbreaking avenue without encroaching on the smartphone domain.