Jony Ive, the former chief designer at Apple, has spoken out about his next project, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the “unintended consequences” linked to the iPhone. In a recent interview with Stripe, he expressed deep concern over the negative impacts smartphones may have on their users.
Ive remarked, “When you’re innovating, of course, there will be unintended consequences. You hope that most of these outcomes are positive. However, I believe some products I’ve significantly contributed to have resulted in unintended consequences that were far from beneficial.”
After more than two decades at Apple, where he was instrumental in designing iconic products such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iPod, Ive left the company in 2019 to establish the design firm LoveFrom. He previously confirmed involvement in developing a new device in collaboration with OpenAI, which he hinted at during the interview.
He stated, “Even with the best intentions, if you’re part of a project that leads to negative outcomes, you have to take responsibility for it. This sense of ownership has been a significant driver behind the work I’m currently engaged in, though I can’t reveal specifics just yet.”
When discussing artificial intelligence, Ive noted the positive aspect of ongoing conversations surrounding the technology, highlighting that concerns for safety are often addressed. He pointed out a contrast when he expressed concern about social media, where such discussions were noticeably absent.
While specific details regarding his collaboration with OpenAI remain limited, The New York Times has reported that LoveFrom is spearheading the design of the new device, collaborating with designers Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, notable for their work on the iPhone. Discussions between Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have focused on how AI has enabled the creation of a device that could provide users with more than traditional software could offer.
