OpenAI Aims to Redefine Smart Speakers With First AI Device

OpenAI‘s upcoming portable smart speaker, the company’s first device, will be doughnut-shaped, the size of a hockey puck, will have moving parts and likely cost between $300 and $400, Bloomberg reported Thursday (Aug. 6), citing unnamed sources.

The design of this artificial intelligence-first computer is meant to make it easy to carry around in the home, to have a personality as it interacts with the user, and to set it apart from the smart speakers currently offered by Apple and Google, according to the report.

The device will be equipped with speaker grills and microphones for interacting with users, a camera and other sensors to inform the AI about the environment, and a battery to make it easily portable, the report said.

OpenAI filed a motion late Wednesday (Aug. 5) to dismiss a lawsuit in which Apple accuses OpenAI of stealing Apple’s intellectual property. In the motion, OpenAI said, per the report: “OpenAI is building something entirely new and different from anything at Apple.”

OpenAI plans to release the device in 2027 and to eventually offer a family of devices, including something that could replace today’s smartphones, per the report.

OpenAI did not immediately reply to PYMNTS’ request for comment.

Thursday’s report adds new details to Bloomberg’s July 14 report that said OpenAI’s first device will be a portable smart speaker that serves as an AI companion.

Like the earlier report, the Thursday report said the upcoming device will become more personalized to the user over time, will have a personality and will be designed to use in the home but will be portable enough to be easily moved from room to room.

Apple filed its lawsuit against OpenAI in July, alleging that two OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple stole trade secrets to support the development of devices at OpenAI.

OpenAI said in its Wednesday filing asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit: “Apple should not be permitted to use a baseless and pretextual lawsuit to make up for its shortcomings in the market for talent and retaining its employees, and its failure to integrate AI into its products.”