Jony Ive’s screenless AI device aims to fix our toxic tech relationship

Former Apple designer Jony Ive offered his first public comments about his mysterious AI hardware project with OpenAI, revealing that the device aims to address the “overwhelm and despair” caused by current technology. Speaking at OpenAI’s developer conference, Ive suggested his upcoming device will prioritize user well-being over productivity, marking a potential shift away from the addictive design patterns that have defined modern smartphones and social media.

What they’re saying: Ive expressed deep concerns about humanity’s relationship with current technology during his appearance.

• “I don’t think we have an easy relationship with our technology at the moment,” Ive told the audience.
• “Rather than see AI as an extension of those challenges, I see it as a chance to use this most remarkable capability to full-on address a lot of the overwhelm and despair that people feel right now.”
• “When I say we have an uncomfortable relationship with our technology, I mean that’s the most obscene understatement,” he added.

The big picture: Ive’s comments signal a philosophical departure from traditional tech design that prioritizes engagement and screen time.

• His device will focus on making consumers “happy” rather than merely boosting productivity, suggesting a wellness-first approach to AI hardware.
• The designer emphasized creating technology that “will make us happy, and fulfilled and more peaceful, and less anxious and less disconnected.”

What we know about the device: Details remain scarce, but recent reports provide some clues about the hardware’s design.

• OpenAI acquired Ive’s “io” startup in May 2024, which he created to develop AI hardware.
• The project involves a “family of devices,” according to official statements.
• A Financial Times report suggests one product will be a handheld device without a screen, using microphones and cameras to process audio and visual data.

Design philosophy: Ive outlined his vision for intuitive, joy-focused technology that breaks from current industry norms.

• The device “should just work. It should seem inevitable; it should seem obvious,” he explained.
• “If we can’t smile, honestly, if it’s just another deeply serious, exclusive thing, I think that would do us all a huge disservice,” Ive said about interface design.
• He believes this AI wave presents an opportunity to “absolutely change the situation that we find ourselves in” rather than accept current tech toxicity as normal.

Why this matters: Ive’s approach could represent a significant pivot in how AI hardware is conceived and marketed.

• His criticism of current technology’s mental health impact aligns with growing concerns about social media addiction and device dependency.
• As a designer who helped create the iPhone’s iconic interface, Ive’s perspective on moving beyond screen-based interaction carries considerable weight in the industry.
• The project positions OpenAI to compete not just in software but in the emerging AI hardware market alongside companies like Humane and Rabbit.