Sam Altman, Jony Ive approach Apple iPhone design boss for AI collaboration

A senior Apple official has apparently been appointed to head the clandestine efforts of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and renowned tech designer Jony Ive to develop new artificial intelligence-focused devices.

Tang Tan, who was Apple's vice president of product design, will join Ive's design studio LoveFrom in February after leaving the company, according to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday that referenced people with knowledge of the situation.

Tan oversaw the groups in charge of creating the Apple Watch and iPhone.

According to the source, Tan will be responsible for "shaping the look and capabilities of the new products," while Altman will supply the software that runs them. It wasn't immediately evident how much OpenAI was involved in the project.

Although development of the AI-focused devices is reportedly in its early phases, not many specifics have surfaced.

Ive, who is most renowned for having collaborated closely with the late Steve Jobs on some of the most recognisable product designs for Apple, is supposedly assembling a team and developing preliminary ideas for the AI device project.

Requests for comments were not immediately answered by representatives of OpenAI or Apple.

With this partnership, Altman—who rejoined OpenAI as CEO last month following his brief removal by the company's former board of directors—would be working on another high-profile project.