OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has long wanted to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) hardware device. However, his latest statement said that this device will not be a smartphone and that he is not interested in competition between smartphones.
There have been previous reports that OpenAI may be working with other technology giants to develop an artificial intelligence device.
Last month, Altman was said to be discussing building a new artificial intelligence hardware device with Jony Ive, a well-known Apple iPhone designer. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son also participated in discussions between the two. This could be a $1 billion deal.
Altman said at the TechLive event that while he's interested in the concept of AI-based consumer hardware, he's not sure what such a device would look like.
Altman said at the event, "I'm interested in this topic and I think it's possible... There are some great things to be done, but I don't know what they are yet."
"I do think that every new technology that's big enough will lead to some kind of new computing platform. (I have) a lot of ideas, but they're all in their infancy."
However, Ultraman also admitted that future artificial intelligence devices will not exceed the popularity of smartphones.
Altman added, "Smartphones are great. But I have no interest in competing with smartphones — the capabilities of it are amazing."
OpenAI has grown rapidly this year, but whether it can maintain this growth momentum remains a question.
Altman told company employees last week that OpenAI's revenue this year is expected to reach $1.3 billion. In August this year, he gave a full-year revenue forecast of $1 billion. There is news that OpenAI’s revenue in 2022 will only be about US$35 million, and the latest forecast value is a 36-fold increase from last year’s revenue.
The company also recently swapped its core values of "Bold" and "Impact-Driven" for "AGI-Focused" and "Fierce and Fighting."