OpenAI president says a family of ChatGPT devices will launch soon

OpenAI has confirmed that it is developing multiple hardware products as it expands beyond software, signalling a broader push into artificial intelligence-powered devices.

Speaking during an interview with technology journalist Joanna Stern on her YouTube channel, OpenAI President Greg Brockman said the company is creating “a family of devices” rather than focusing on a single product. Although he did not reveal specific products or release dates, he indicated that consumers should expect new hardware in the near future.

OpenAI plans a broader hardware ecosystem

Speculation about OpenAI’s hardware ambitions has grown in recent months, with reports suggesting the company is working on AI-focused consumer devices. During the interview, Stern asked Brockman about rumours of an AI smart speaker, but he stopped short of confirming or denying the reports.

Instead, Brockman outlined a broader strategy centred on multiple products. He said, “we’re building a family of devices,” explaining that the company’s long-term goal is to create a range of hardware rather than rely on a single flagship product. He added that the emphasis is on delivering value over time rather than focusing on a single launch.

While Brockman declined to provide a firm release schedule, he suggested that customers would not have to wait long. “You should expect them soon,” he said, without offering further details about timing, pricing or product categories.

The comments provide one of the clearest public acknowledgements that OpenAI is actively preparing a hardware portfolio. The company has so far built its reputation on AI software, including ChatGPT, but its latest remarks suggest it is now looking to establish a presence in consumer devices as well.

Company dismisses concerns over Apple lawsuit

Questions about OpenAI’s hardware plans have become more prominent following reports that the company is collaborating with former Apple design chief Jony Ive. The partnership has attracted attention across the technology industry, particularly after Apple launched legal action over allegations involving trade secret theft.

During the interview, Brockman was asked whether the ongoing lawsuit could affect OpenAI’s hardware roadmap. He declined to discuss the details, noting that the matter remains active litigation.

However, he stressed that the legal dispute is not distracting the company from its objectives. Brockman said OpenAI is “focused on our own development and technology,” adding, “we have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We are plenty innovative.”

His comments indicate that OpenAI intends to continue developing its hardware plans despite the legal challenge. Although he offered no further information about the collaboration with Ive or the products under development, his remarks suggested that the company remains confident in its ability to innovate independently.

The growing interest in AI hardware reflects wider industry efforts to integrate generative AI more deeply into everyday devices. Companies across the technology sector are exploring new ways for users to interact with AI beyond traditional smartphone and computer applications.

Voice interaction expected to become the norm

Brockman also shared OpenAI’s vision for how people will interact with future AI devices. He suggested that speaking to computers could soon become more common than typing, describing voice communication as a more natural way for people to use technology.

According to Brockman, advances in AI are making conversational interaction increasingly practical for everyday tasks. Rather than relying on keyboards or touchscreens, users may eventually communicate with their devices through spoken commands for much of their daily activity.

As an example of this shift, Brockman referred to soundproof “beak” masks that some office workers wear to speak to their computers without disturbing colleagues nearby. Although he said he does not personally use one, he noted that its existence demonstrates demand for voice-based computing. He remarked that it “shows you where there’s product market fit,” despite admitting that the accessory “looks a little silly.”

The interview also addressed privacy, a key concern as AI systems become more integrated into personal devices. Brockman said OpenAI is investing in technologies that provide verifiable, auditable guarantees to ensure that only the AI system accesses a user’s private information.

He suggested that these safeguards could help reassure users who have questioned the privacy protections surrounding ChatGPT’s temporary chat mode. While he did not provide technical details, his comments highlighted OpenAI’s intention to strengthen trust alongside the expansion of its hardware ambitions.

The latest remarks suggest that OpenAI sees its future extending beyond AI software into a connected ecosystem of intelligent devices, with voice interaction and stronger privacy protections forming central parts of that strategy.