OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is preparing to launch its first hardware product: an AI-powered device designed to be worn behind the ear. The announcement, made at Axios House Davos, signals a major shift for OpenAI from software to integrated hardware, with a projected release in the second half of 2026. This move represents the culmination of OpenAI’s aggressive expansion into AI-driven hardware following its $6.5 billion acquisition of tech design firm IO in May 2025, a company founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
The Device: Specs and Expectations
Early leaks suggest the device will consist of two metallic, pill-shaped gadgets that rest behind the ear, stored in a uniquely designed egg-shaped case. If the leaks prove accurate, OpenAI aims to rival Apple’s AirPods in the consumer market. However, the long-term vision extends beyond a single product: reports indicate plans to release a total of five devices by the fourth quarter of 2028.
From Ambition to Reality: The IO Acquisition
The hardware push isn’t sudden. OpenAI’s acquisition of IO was explicitly intended to develop AI-integrated hardware. Initial speculation centered on an AI-powered smartphone, but the company has since refined its focus toward a more subtle, ambient computing experience. CEO Sam Altman and Ive have already prototyped a screenless device designed to filter “digital noise” and operate quietly in the background. This device will utilize spatial awareness and learn from the user’s environment, responding primarily through natural language interaction.
Ambient AI: The Next Frontier?
The concept behind OpenAI’s new device aligns with a broader trend toward ambient computing – a field that envisions technology fading into the background while still providing assistance. University of Washington professor Chirag Shah notes that while this idea isn’t new, OpenAI’s entry could be a game-changer:
“The idea is quite appealing—technology that is embedded in your environment that you don’t even notice, but is always there to help you.”
Shah draws parallels to fictional AI assistants like Samantha from the movie Her and J.A.R.V.I.S. from Iron Man, suggesting OpenAI is aiming to deliver a similar conversational experience to the mass market.
Challenges Ahead: Privacy and Market Competition
Despite the potential, OpenAI faces hurdles. The market is already crowded with AI-capable devices from Apple and Meta, raising questions about differentiation. Moreover, privacy concerns and public acceptance of always-on, AI-powered wearables remain significant challenges. Shah emphasizes:
“Will people want, and pay for, yet another device? What about the usual concerns like privacy and intrusive behaviors?”
OpenAI’s success hinges on convincing consumers that its wearable AI offers a unique value proposition that justifies the cost and addresses legitimate privacy anxieties.
OpenAI’s entry into hardware is a bold move that could redefine how we interact with AI. Whether it will capture mass appeal remains to be seen, but the company’s ambition and resources make it a competitor to watch.
