OpenAI’s collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive on a new AI device has received endorsement from Laurene Powell Jobs. In a recent interview with The Financial Times, Powell Jobs reflected on Ive’s tenure at Apple alongside her late husband, Steve Jobs, and the need to address the “unintentional” negative effects of their innovations.
Ive expressed the current ambivalence many feel towards technology, stating that his collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stems from a belief that “humanity deserves better.” He touched on the responsibility stemming from the unforeseen issues associated with the iPhone, such as screen addiction and the impact of social media, which his new project aims to remedy.
In further dialogue, Ive noted that working with Altman has rekindled his faith in technological advancement. He recognized that innovation often comes with unintended consequences—some positive and some detrimental. Despite the negative effects being unintentional, he feels a strong sense of responsibility, leading him to strive for a more beneficial outcome.
Laurene Powell Jobs, who has maintained a close friendship with Ive since Steve Jobs’ passing in 2011, shares his concerns, asserting that “there are dark uses for certain types of technology,” even if those technologies weren’t originally intended for such purposes.
Powell Jobs has financially supported both Ive’s LoveFrom design firm and io hardware startup after his exit from Apple. Ive remarked that “there wouldn’t be LoveFrom” without her support. OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s io company for nearly $6.5 billion further cements their partnership, with Powell Jobs poised to benefit if the upcoming AI device achieves any fraction of the iPhone’s success.
While specifics about the new device remain under wraps, Powell Jobs is optimistic about its development. She has witnessed the evolution from concept to prototype, remarking on how ideas transition from initial thoughts to fully realized products. “Watching something brand new be manifested, it’s a wondrous thing to behold,” she stated.
