British iPhone designer Sir Jony Ive is exploring plans to create a gadget with artificial intelligence

Sir Jony Ive developed the iPhone, iPod and MacBook during his time at Apple. Photo: Fiona Hanson

Sir Jony Ive defined the smartphone era with his iPhone designs — now he could do the same with artificial intelligence.

The British designer behind some of Apple's most iconic devices is working with the creator of ChatGPT to develop a new artificial intelligence gadget.

OpenAI founder Sam Altman has reportedly tapped Sir Joni to work on “artificial intelligence hardware,” according to technology website The Information.

SoftBank chief executive Masayoshi Son is reportedly involved in funding discussions.< /p>

Sir Joni, who was Apple's chief designer from 1997 to 2019, is widely regarded as one of the most influential designers of this century. In addition to designing the iPhone, iPod and MacBook, the 56-year-old created the coronation emblem of King Charles III and worked with Ferrari on the design of a performance sports car.

A favorite of the royal family, the Londoner also designed the Terra Carta seal on behalf of the King, which is awarded to companies that pledge to take significant action to reduce CO2 emissions over the next decade.

Mr Altman and Sir Joni have previously worked together . Both are directors of the American venture fund Churchill Capital.

Sir Joni designed the coronation emblem of King Charles III. Photo: Getty Images

They were separately invited by Saudi Arabia to become members of the advisory board of the government's $500bn (£412bn) Neom megacity project, although they distanced themselves from the country following the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in late 2018.

It's not yet clear what an artificial intelligence device might look like, but Mr. Altman has already released one piece of hardware based on the technology this year.

His company Worldcoin has created a gadget called Orb that scans people's irises. Mr Altman believes the Iris database will help people protect their identities online as artificial intelligence makes fraud more common.

One of Mr Ive's protégés at Apple, Thomas Meyerhoffer, is the lead designer of Worldcoin

>Bola Rotibi, head of corporate research at CCS Insight, said it was “not surprising” that Sir Joni and Mr Altman discussed it.

She said: “I suspect that [the device] will have a specific focus, most likely targeting specific industries such as healthcare and manufacturing companies.»

Like the iPhone, the new AI gadget could «kickstart a highly dynamic market and create a new competitive front,” Ms. Rotibi said. .

OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment. Sir Joni could not be reached for comment.