OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive's AI Startup io for $6.4 Billion
OpenAI is set to acquire io, the AI devices startup led by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, for $6.4 billion. The acquisition, structured as an all-stock deal, incorporates OpenAI's existing stake in io. This marks OpenAI's largest acquisition to date, following shortly after their agreement to purchase AI coding tool Windsurf for $3 billion.
Key Highlights
Ive will assume significant creative and design responsibilities across both OpenAI and io, though his firm LoveFrom will remain independent. The deal will see io merging with OpenAI.
This acquisition comes amid intense competition in the generative AI space, with OpenAI vying for dominance against rivals like Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk's xAI.
In a move to strengthen its hardware capabilities, OpenAI previously recruited a former Meta executive to head its robotics and consumer hardware initiatives. This strategic acquisition underscores OpenAI's commitment to expanding beyond software and solidifying its position as a leader in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
