Dream Team Seeks Funds for AI Pursuits: In a bid to bring their vision to life, OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman and design genius Sir Jony Ive of Apple fame are on a quest to secure a substantial sum of $1 billion for a new artificial intelligence project.
Behind the Scenes: Recent reports have unveiled Altman and Ive’s endeavor to secure funding for an undisclosed AI venture, as revealed by The Information.
Eager for investors, Altman and Ive are seeking support from Thrive Capital, an existing investor in OpenAI, and Emerson Collective, steered by Laurene Powell-Jobs.
The duo also have their sights set on Masayoshi Son of SoftBank to finance their upcoming AI device endeavor.
Though shrouded in mystery, their latest project isn’t the first dance Altman and Ive have had with AI-related ventures. Reports surfaced in September of their collaboration with SoftBank’s Chief, Masayoshi Son, on a similar initiative.
While the exact nature of this project remains under wraps, it seems to signal some tension as Ive, who left Apple in 2019 to establish his independent design consultancy, LoveFrom, potentially finds himself at odds with his former employer.
Significance in the AI Arena: Altman and Ive’s pursuit of AI hardware ambitions comes at a time when the AI industry is ablaze with excitement.
Back in February, Son and Altman were gearing up to raise a hefty $100 billion for a new chip venture aimed at the AI market, potentially posing a challenge to Nvidia Corp.
Moreover, in December 2023, reports surfaced of Tang Tan, Apple’s iPhone design executive, teaming up with Ive and OpenAI’s Altman on a groundbreaking AI hardware project.
This was followed by whispers in September 2023 of Ive, Altman, and Son being in advanced discussions to craft the “iPhone of AI.”
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