OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has been a key player in the current wave of consumer artificial intelligence (AI) flooding the world. But so far it has all been software behind a screen.

Last week, that began to change: the tech giant released its first branded hardware. At the same time, it was sued by Apple – legendary for its hardware nous seen in devices such as iPhone and MacBooks – over alleged industrial espionage.

In response, an OpenAI spokesperson said, “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets.”

The lawsuit is about more than allegations of stolen manufacturing techniques. It’s a preview of a much bigger shift.

AI companies are trying to escape the chat window and move into the physical world. But as OpenAI is discovering, hardware plays by rules software companies aren’t used to.

A device of their own

OpenAI ignited mainstream interest in large language models with the release of ChatGPT in late 2022. The product improved quickly, but the user interface has still mostly been confined to a text box.

OpenAI’s software has had to run on devices such as phones, laptops and desktops built by other companies for other purposes.

OpenAI has signalled for some time that it wants its own hardware. It hired Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief design officer, to lead a hardware effort. Last year, in a promotional video, OpenAI boss Sam Altman and Ive discussed, at length, the fact they would soon be working on hardware.

OpenAI does hardware – but starts small

Last week, OpenAI launched........

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