The world of artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing rapidly every day, but can our existing computers and devices keep up with this speed? Recently, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman answered this question in a way that has created a stir in the tech world. He said that now we need new types of hardware because the computers we have today were built for a world in which technologies like AI did not exist.
U-turn from the old statement
In the year 2023, Sam Altman said that new hardware would not be needed for the development of AI. According to him, devices like smartphones are already “very capable,” and the future of AI will move forward only on the strength of software. He had indicated that even if a new device comes, people will happily adopt it, but it will not be needed.
But now his stance has completely changed. In a podcast with his brother, Jack Altman, Sam clearly stated that “today’s computers were built for a world that did not have AI. We are now in a different era, and our expectations from hardware and software are changing very rapidly.”
Why is new hardware necessary for AI?
Sam believes that as AI is becoming a part of our lives, we need devices that are not only fast but also intelligent. That is, they should understand the environment around us, grasp the context of our lives, and act like a human companion.
Now it is not just about screens and keyboards. Altman also said that in the future, people will interact with AI in ways other than typing and looking at the screen. This is an indication that the interface is also going to change, perhaps by voice, perhaps by gestures, or in some other way that is not common today.
Partnership with Jony Ive
OpenAI has also taken steps in this direction. Sam Altman, along with former Apple Chief Design Officer Sir Jony Ive, is developing a new kind of device. This device is being seen as a “third category” – that is, it will be neither a phone nor a laptop, but something new.
According to reports, this device will be pocket-sized, without a screen, and sensitive to our environment. It will not need to be worn, but it will blend into our lives so seamlessly that we will not even realize it.
The launch of this device can happen by the end of 2026, and Altman claims that it will reach 100 million users faster than any tech product.
Legal hurdles and industry turmoil
However, this project has also faced some legal setbacks. OpenAI bought Ive’s company, “io Products,” in May 2024 for about $6.5 billion, but soon another startup, “IYO,” filed a case of trademark infringement. IYO was also working on AI hardware and had earlier shown its technology to Altman’s investment firm and Ive’s design agency.
Google has also hinted
This is not just Sam Altman’s thinking. Google CEO Sundar Pichai also recently admitted that existing systems are not capable of achieving goals like AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). This makes it clear that software development alone is not enough; a revolution in hardware is also necessary.
Do we need new computers?
The future of AI does not rest only on coding and models. Sam Altman’s recent comments indicate that now time to re-look at our technological foundation. Devices that are not just fast but sensitive and intelligent – perhaps that is the real need of the AI era.
