OpenAI plans the debut of its first AI hardware device in 2026

OpenAI is edging closer to launching its first consumer hardware, marking a significant step beyond its software roots. Long known for its work on artificial intelligence models such as ChatGPT, the company has spent the past year hinting that a physical device is on its roadmap. Recent comments from a senior executive now suggest that these plans are becoming more concrete, with 2026 emerging as a key year for OpenAI’s hardware ambitions.

The idea of an OpenAI-made device has gained momentum since the company acquired a startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive. That move immediately sparked discussion about whether OpenAI was preparing to compete directly in the consumer electronics market. While the company has remained cautious in public, executives have increasingly acknowledged that hardware will play a role in how users interact with artificial intelligence in the future.

OpenAI signals a shift beyond software

Speculation around OpenAI’s hardware plans intensified last year when chief executive Sam Altman confirmed that the company was working on its first device. In an interview, Altman described the product as a sleek, pocket-sized gadget designed to reduce background noise and deliver context-aware AI assistance. He said at the time that the concept was already in the prototype stage, suggesting that development was well underway rather than a general idea.

That disclosure followed OpenAI’s acquisition of io, a design-focused firm founded by Jony Ive. Ive is best known for shaping many of Apple’s most recognisable products, including the iPhone and iPad. Although OpenAI has not detailed how Ive and his team are involved, the acquisition was widely seen as a signal that the company was serious about creating a carefully designed consumer device rather than an experimental accessory.

Together, these developments have positioned OpenAI as a potential new entrant in the hardware space, as many technology firms explore ways to embed artificial intelligence into everyday life. Instead of relying solely on smartphones and computers, OpenAI is considering more direct, always-available ways for users to access ChatGPT and related services.

Executive points to a 2026 debut

Further weight was added to these expectations by comments from OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane. Speaking at Axios House Davos, Lehane said the company is planning to showcase its first device in the second half of 2026. According to Axios, he described devices as being “among the big coming attractions for OpenAI in 2026,” and added that he would have more information to share “much later in the year”.

Lehane stopped short of confirming a specific launch date or whether the device would go on sale within that year. However, he made it clear that the latter part of 2026 is currently the most likely window. “We are looking at something in the latter part” of the year, he said, while noting that plans could still change as development progresses. “We will see how things advance.”

The cautious language reflects the challenges of bringing a new product type to market, particularly one that aims to redefine how people interact with AI. It also suggests that OpenAI is still refining both the technology and the use cases it wants to support. Even so, Lehane’s comments represent the most unambiguous public indication yet that the company’s first hardware reveal is no longer a distant prospect.

Sweetpea and the promise of hands-free AI

Earlier this year, a leak provided a possible glimpse of what OpenAI’s first device might look like. The report described a portable audio product codenamed Sweetpea, designed to sit behind the user’s ear. While OpenAI has not officially acknowledged the leak, the timing and description closely align with what executives have publicly hinted at.

If Sweetpea is indeed the device referenced by Lehane, it could offer a more seamless way to interact with ChatGPT. Rather than pulling out a phone or opening an app, users can speak to the assistant and receive responses without using their hands. Such an approach would fit with OpenAI’s stated goal of providing context-aware assistance that blends into daily life rather than demanding attention.

Details about Sweetpea remain scarce, and much about the device is still unknown, including its full capabilities and availability. However, as OpenAI moves closer to a formal unveiling, more information is expected to emerge. For now, the company’s comments point to 2026 as the year when OpenAI takes its first public step into consumer hardware, potentially reshaping how people access and experience artificial intelligence.