Report says OpenAI is building a screenless smart speaker that moves

In short: A report says OpenAI is developing its first hardware device, a screen-free smart speaker that can move and connect to ChatGPT.

What happened

TechCrunch reports that Bloomberg has shared new details about a device OpenAI is said to be building. According to the report, it is a smart speaker with no screen, and it is still in development.

Inside OpenAI, the device is reportedly being described as a “humanlike AI companion” for the home. Think of it like a voice assistant that is meant to feel more like a household helper than a simple speaker.

Sources told Bloomberg the device could have a “personality” and learn about its owner over time. It may also connect to parts of a user’s “digital life,” like emails, to give more personal help. Bloomberg also said the device may include “mechanical elements” that move on their own, which suggests it could physically turn, tilt, or shift like a small desktop gadget.

The report says former Apple engineers helped develop the product. This comes while OpenAI is dealing with a legal fight tied to hardware work. Apple sued OpenAI last week, accusing it of stealing hardware trade secrets, which are confidential plans and methods used to build products. OpenAI has denied wrongdoing.

Why it matters

If OpenAI ships a home device, it could change how people use ChatGPT day to day. Instead of opening an app, you might talk to a dedicated object in your home, more like speaking to a radio or intercom than typing into a phone.

Source: TechCrunch AI