Recently, Apple has been facing a significant exodus of its hardware talent, as key personnel defect to artificial intelligence powerhouse OpenAI. In May of this year, OpenAI revealed its acquisition of io, a design firm established by ex-Apple Chief Designer Jony Ive, through a $6.5 billion all-stock deal. Ive himself has now signed on with OpenAI to spearhead the creation of a new range of AI-driven hardware devices. This strategic move signals OpenAI’s evolution from an AI software leader into a comprehensive hardware ecosystem, setting the stage for a direct clash with industry giants like Apple.