OpenAI and Apple ’s former star designer Jony Ive are reportedly facing significant technical issues as they race to launch a secretive, palm-sized artificial intelligence (AI) device next year. The collaboration, established when OpenAI acquired Ive's design firm, io, for $6.5 billion in May, aims to create a screen-less gadget capable of interpreting and responding to the physical environment using audio and visual cues.
Citing sources familiar with the plans, the Financial Times reported that the project is facing two critical unsolved problems that could delay its release. The obstacles remain primarily in the device's software and the vast infrastructure needed to support it.
OpenAI’s ‘secret’ AI device facing compute power and software challenges
The most substantial challenge cited by those close to the project is the immense demand for computing power . One person near Ive noted the lack of adequate “compute” resources.
“Amazon has the compute for an Alexa, so does Google [for its Home device], but OpenAI is struggling to get enough compute for ChatGPT, let alone an AI device—they need to fix that first,” the person was quoted as saying.
Other critical unresolved issues include: Assistant personality which is settling on the assistant's “voice” and mannerisms. The goal is a highly helpful, non-intrusive "friend who’s a computer," steering clear of the pitfalls of a "weird AI girlfriend" or the limited functionality of past smart speakers like Amazon Echo.
There are also issues with conversational balance and privacy.
Multiple sources told the publication that the device is roughly the size of a smartphone and will feature a camera, microphone, and speaker. It is designed to be "always on" rather than relying on a trigger word, gathering continuous data to build a virtual assistant's "memory." The device can sit on a desk or be carried by the user.
Citing sources familiar with the plans, the Financial Times reported that the project is facing two critical unsolved problems that could delay its release. The obstacles remain primarily in the device's software and the vast infrastructure needed to support it.
OpenAI’s ‘secret’ AI device facing compute power and software challenges
The most substantial challenge cited by those close to the project is the immense demand for computing power . One person near Ive noted the lack of adequate “compute” resources.
“Amazon has the compute for an Alexa, so does Google [for its Home device], but OpenAI is struggling to get enough compute for ChatGPT, let alone an AI device—they need to fix that first,” the person was quoted as saying.
Other critical unresolved issues include: Assistant personality which is settling on the assistant's “voice” and mannerisms. The goal is a highly helpful, non-intrusive "friend who’s a computer," steering clear of the pitfalls of a "weird AI girlfriend" or the limited functionality of past smart speakers like Amazon Echo.
There are also issues with conversational balance and privacy.
Multiple sources told the publication that the device is roughly the size of a smartphone and will feature a camera, microphone, and speaker. It is designed to be "always on" rather than relying on a trigger word, gathering continuous data to build a virtual assistant's "memory." The device can sit on a desk or be carried by the user.
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