Since OpenAI announced its plans to develop ChatGPT-compatible hardware with the goal of making consumers’ lives easier, many began to imagine revolutionary devices capable of even replacing the smartphones current.
However, as more details about its first projects have become known, the proposal seems less disruptive than some expected.
According to The Information, the first device that OpenAI would be preparing to launch on the market would simply be a smart speaker. This product could arrive in 2027 and would compete directly with devices such as the Amazon Echo, Google Home or the Apple HomePod.
However, OpenAI’s approach would be somewhat different. Instead of focusing primarily on sound quality, The device would bet on artificial intelligence as a differentiating element. The speaker would integrate microphones and a camera capable of analyzing the user’s environment to offer more personalized and contextualized responses.
Furthermore, the system could use facial recognition to identify different people in the home and even authenticate purchases using their faces. This detail, although innovative, could reignite the debate about privacy and surveillance in the domestic environment.
As for the price, it wouldn’t exactly be cheap. The estimates point at a range of between 200 and 300 dollarsplacing it at the high end of the market. That would put it above many Google or Amazon models and closer to the price of the full-size HomePod.
This supposed new speaker would be part of a broader strategy. OpenAI would have more than 200 employees working on hardware projects based on artificial intelligence, including smart glasses and a lamp with advanced functions. These products would still be in an early design and prototype phase, so there is no guarantee that they will finally reach the market.
What does seem clear is that OpenAI’s first move in hardware will be a smart speaker with advanced AI features. The big question will be whether users are willing to accept a device that not only listens, but also observes.