Artificial Intelligence is advancing faster than ever, but according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the devices we use today—smartphones and laptops—are not ready for what’s coming next. In a recent conversation on the “People by WTF” podcast, he explained that the future of AI hardware will look very different from the screens and keyboards we rely on today.Altman believes our phones are built for a different era. They only work when we unlock them, use them, and then put them away. But the next generation of AI will not fit into this on-off pattern. Instead, it will require a device that is always present, always listening, and always ready to support us.
Why Current Devices Can’t Handle the Future of AI Hardware
Smartphones and computers are designed for input—tapping, typing, swiping. But AI works best when it understands context. Imagine an assistant that remembers your plans, notices your surroundings, and helps you at the right moment without being asked. That’s the kind of intelligence Altman says our current devices simply can’t deliver.
This is where the future of AI hardware comes in. Altman envisions a device that feels less like a tool and more like a companion. It would be proactive instead of reactive, built to understand human needs throughout the day.
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A New Vision with Jony Ive
To bring this vision to life, Altman has partnered with Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind the iPhone. Together, they are exploring entirely new forms of devices that move beyond the limits of smartphones.
Instead of just another screen in your pocket, this new category could be a wearable, a tabletop gadget, or something we’ve never seen before. The key is that it won’t just wait for you to use it—it will quietly work in the background, blending into your life and offering help when you need it most.
This shift represents the true future of AI hardware: creating technology that doesn’t demand attention but naturally supports people in their daily routines.
The Road Ahead
While this may sound futuristic, the industry is already moving in this direction. Companies like OpenAI are testing prototypes, and the race to design the right device for AI is well underway. We may soon see a wave of new products that rethink what personal technology should be.
The end goal is clear: technology that is always aware of your needs, instead of waiting for you to “turn it on.” This will define the future of AI hardware, changing how we live and work in ways as big as the shift from desktops to smartphones.
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Final Thought
Sam Altman’s message is simple: our phones and computers, as powerful as they are, were not built for the age of AI. To unlock the real potential of artificial intelligence, we need a new kind of device. The future of AI hardware is about creating companions, not just gadgets—tools that stay with us, understand us, and make life easier in the background.