OpenAI’s Biggest Acquisition: Spending $6.5 Billion to Acquire the Company io Founded by Former Apple Executive Jony Ive

OpenAI has announced its largest acquisition to date: the approximately $6.5 billion purchase of AI hardware startup io, co-founded by CEO Sam Altman and former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive. The deal is expected to close this summer, pending regulatory approval. Following the acquisition, OpenAI will gain around 55 top-tier hardware engineers, software developers, and manufacturing experts — including several former Apple designers who were involved in the development of the iPhone.