en.Wedoany.com Reported - Paul Meade, former head of Apple Vision Pro technology and director of Apple's smart glasses project, has joined OpenAI's hardware division. This marks OpenAI's push to develop dedicated AI hardware beyond the form factor of smartphones or laptops.

According to Bloomberg, Meade led Vision Pro hardware engineering at Apple for seven years and also oversaw the screenless smart glasses project, which is expected to compete with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. His team was involved in future augmented reality glasses and multiple AI-focused wearable projects, making him one of Apple's most experienced hardware executives in the wearable device space.

At OpenAI, Meade will join a team of former Apple executives, working alongside designer Jony Ive, former Apple design chief Evans Hankey, and former iPhone operations executive Tang Tan. The team was formed after OpenAI acquired Jony Ive's startup io for $6.5 billion. This acquisition signals OpenAI's investment in dedicated AI devices, rather than treating ChatGPT as just another app.

Neither Apple nor OpenAI has disclosed the specific form of these devices. Bloomberg notes that OpenAI is developing multiple new devices, expected to launch within the next few years. Meanwhile, Apple is also advancing smart glasses, AI-enhanced AirPods with cameras, desktop robots, and other AI-focused hardware projects.

Meade's hiring does not directly confirm that OpenAI is building AI glasses, but recruiting an executive who led Vision Pro and smart glasses hardware further strengthens the inference that OpenAI is gathering talent for AI wearable devices. The company has already brought Jony Ive and several other former Apple veterans into its hardware team. Additionally, OpenAI has previously recruited multiple talents from Apple, including a former Uber president, for strategic roles.

The landscape is no longer limited to the AI chatbot race; the wearable device race is becoming a focal point. Meta already has smart glasses on the market, Apple is reportedly preparing similar products, and OpenAI has assembled a hardware team. Whether the final outcome will be AI glasses, a wearable pendant, or an ear-worn AI device remains to be seen.

Competition in the AI wearable device space is intensifying. Meta has already launched smart glasses, Apple continues to develop similar products, and OpenAI is building a team to create innovative AI devices. OpenAI's decision to recruit talent from Apple highlights its aggressive strategy to strengthen its hardware division.

Although device details remain confidential, this step signals that the future of AI is not limited to smartphone screens. Wearable devices deeply integrated with generative AI have the potential to become products that transform how users interact with technology.

Paul Meade's move to OpenAI also proves that the company is not only focused on AI software development but is also committed to creating hardware optimized for running AI. This could be a strategic move to reduce reliance on third-party devices and build a more integrated AI ecosystem.

Hardware development typically takes a considerable amount of time. Apple's Vision Pro project took years before its eventual launch. OpenAI is likely to undergo a similar process before officially releasing a product.

OpenAI's recruitment of Paul Meade sends a signal: the company aims not only to be a player in the software space but also to carve out a place in the hardware industry, bringing forth entirely new AI devices.

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