Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to screens and servers. OpenAI, known for its flagship model ChatGPT available for free and without limits on Yiaho, seems determined to conquer the world of connected hardware.
According to persistent rumors, the company headed by Sam Altman is working on a new generation of smart devices, with a focus on smart glasses incorporating ChatGPT’s capabilities.
A bold shift for a company that has focused on software until now.
OpenAI: A strategic change of course?
Internal sources suggest that OpenAI is actively exploring several hardware concepts, ranging from a smart speaker to a screenless wearable device, and including these famous glasses.
This pivot marks a clear ambition: no longer just providing AI, but shaping the objects that will make it omnipresent in our daily lives.
The goal? To create an ecosystem where ChatGPT becomes an intuitive voice assistant, integrated into compact and practical devices.
Moving away from invasive screens, OpenAI and Sam Altman are betting on fluid interaction, primarily based on voice, to redefine our relationship with technology. If the smart glasses are confirmed, they could embody this vision of a future where AI accompanies every moment without monopolizing attention.
A range of GPT devices in the works?
And OpenAI’s projects aren’t limited to glasses.
Among the ideas being explored are a smart badge, an AI-powered voice recorder, and a minimalist speaker designed as a natural extension of GPT-5. An in-ear device was also reportedly considered, though that project seems to have been set aside.
According to available information, the first product to see the light of day would be a pocket-sized, screenless device designed for fluid and natural voice interaction. Analysts expect a launch between late 2026 and early 2027.
The glasses, if confirmed, could require additional time due to their technical complexity.
OpenAI doesn’t seem to be in a rush, but is rather guided by a long-term ambition: to redefine the standards of the connected objects market.
A team built to rival the giants
To turn this vision into reality, OpenAI is relying on top-tier talent. The company has ramped up its recruitment, attracting experts from Apple, particularly in the fields of design, manufacturing, and logistics. Leading this project is Tang Tan, former head of hardware design at Apple, who plays a key role.
Read more: OpenAI recruits Jony Ive, former Apple designer, to revolutionize AI
His arrival, coupled with that of many former Apple colleagues, demonstrates a massive transfer of skills. The collaboration with Jony Ive, a legendary figure in Apple design, further strengthens this momentum.
These recruits, drawn to OpenAI’s agile and collaborative approach, contrast with the perceived rigidity of Apple’s culture. This movement hasn’t gone unnoticed: it signals a growing rivalry between the two companies, now competing in the field of smart hardware.
OpenAI is no longer content with challenging Apple on generative AI; it aims to disrupt its hegemony in hardware.
Also read: Apple wants to release its own ChatGPT to compete with OpenAI
ChatGPT: Toward a successor to the smartphone?
With these projects, OpenAI seems to be aiming for a bold goal: inventing the device that will replace the smartphone. An everyday, discreet, screenless but always connected object, capable of anticipating user needs thanks to ChatGPT.
This concept of a wearable AI assistant could transform how we interact with technology, making it more intuitive and less intrusive.
Facing Apple, which has dominated the connected device market for years, OpenAI appears as an unexpected challenger. But with high-level talent, a clear vision, and some of the most advanced AI technology in the world, the company has the cards in hand to surprise everyone.
The race for innovation is back on, and OpenAI seems determined to redefine the rules.
What do you think about OpenAI’s foray into hardware? Could ChatGPT-connected glasses be a game-changer? Share your thoughts in the comments!
