Targeting AirPods? ... Rumors of OpenAI's 'AI Earphones' Launch in September

Possible Launch as Early as September
Worn Behind the Ear Like a Hearing Aid

OpenAI has reportedly chosen an earphone form factor for its upcoming hardware device equipped with ChatGPT.

According to the IT industry on January 15, OpenAI is expected to launch an AI-powered earphone as early as September. In connection with this, Chinese tech blogger "Smart Pikachu" stated, "I have heard new information about OpenAI's To-go hardware project," adding, "It is a special audio product intended to replace Apple AirPods, with the internal code name 'Sweetpea.'"

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News

He also presented a schematic showing a structure in which two pill-shaped modules are placed inside a metallic, egg-shaped capsule. Unlike conventional earphones that are inserted into the ear, this product is designed to be worn behind the ear, similar to a hearing aid. Foxconn will be responsible for manufacturing the device. The production target for the first year is reportedly between 40 million and 50 million units. It is also likely that the device will be equipped with an Exynos chip manufactured using Samsung Electronics' 2-nanometer process (1 nanometer is one billionth of a meter).

However, OpenAI and Foxconn have refused to officially confirm Smart Pikachu's claims. An OpenAI representative stated, "It is impossible to verify the facts," while Foxconn has not responded to requests for confirmation.

The person leading this project is Jony Ive, former Chief Design Officer at Apple. In May of last year, OpenAI acquired the AI device startup "io," founded by Ive, for approximately 6.5 billion dollars (about 9.6 trillion won). Since the acquisition, OpenAI has been actively recruiting Apple's hardware engineering and design talent. It is reported that OpenAI has hired about 40 Apple hardware engineers, including Tang Tan and Evans Hankey.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated last month, "The device we are developing with Jony Ive will not replace the existing smartphone, but will be a 'third device' that redefines the interaction between AI and humans," adding, "The first product will be available within two years at the latest."