I/O versus io: Google and OpenAI can’t stop messing with each other
1 min read
Summary
OpenAI’s viral purchase of Jony Ive’s “io” design company has captured the attention of tech enthusiasts and the media ahead of this week’s Google I/O conference, where the search engine giant is expected to unveil its latest AI projects.
The deal, valued at $6.5bn, will see ex-Apple designers Tang Tan, Evans Hankey and Scott Cannon join OpenAI to work on a voice-first AI device, which the company plans to unveil in 2026.
Fellow AI pioneer, Google, is also expected to unveil its AI plans at I/O, however, OpenAI’s announcement has stolen its thunder.
This is not the first time the two companies have competed for media attention, following OpenAI’s unveiling of the ChatGPT voice at its own event ahead of Google’s 2022 I/O.
The competition highlights the growing rivalry between the two companies, which are arguably the world’s two leading AI organisations.
Elsewhere, this week, Microsoft faced protests at its Build Conference, Google unveiled its latest AI projects, and Telegram announced it generated $1bn in revenue in 2024.