OpenAI is set to acquire “io,” an AI device startup founded by former Apple executive Jony Ive, in an all-equity deal valued at $6.5 billion—its largest acquisition yet. Ive will lead creative and design roles across OpenAI and io, though his design firm LoveFrom will remain independent. This follows OpenAI's acquisitions of Windsurf and Rockset, as it strengthens its hardware strategy. Recently valued at $300 billion, OpenAI is racing to stay ahead of rivals like Google and xAI. It has also hired Meta’s AR lead and invested in robotics startup Physical Intelligence to bring general-purpose AI into the real world.