OpenAI is rapidly reshaping the tech landscape by attracting top talent from Apple. Former Apple executives and engineers are leaving Cupertino to join OpenAI’s ambitious hardware division. Many of these veterans cite greater freedom, faster innovation, and lucrative stock packages—often worth over $1 million—as key motivators.
The hiring drive is led by Tang Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and a 25-year Apple veteran. Known for transforming Jony Ive’s designs into mass-market products, Tan has already recruited Cyrus Daniel Irani from Apple’s human interface team and Erik de Jong from Apple Watch hardware. Other seasoned names, such as 17-year veteran Matt Theobald, have also made the leap.
Jony Ive’s Influence and Vision
The momentum accelerated after OpenAI acquired io Products, a startup co-founded by Ive and Tan, for $6.5 billion earlier this year. The deal gave OpenAI access to an established design studio with strong Apple DNA. While Ive continues running his LoveFrom design firm, he now spends increasing time at OpenAI’s San Francisco office.
Building on Apple’s Supply Chain
OpenAI isn’t just pulling in talent; it is also mirroring Apple’s manufacturing playbook. The company has secured deals with Luxshare, a major Apple supplier, to assemble at least one upcoming device. Reports suggest Goertek, another Apple partner, is in talks to provide speaker modules. Apple spent decades building its trusted supply chain, while OpenAI aims to leverage it in under two years.
Potential products include a smart speaker, AI-powered glasses, a wearable pin, and even a digital voice recorder. The first devices could debut as early as 2026 or 2027.
Apple Faces a Strategic Challenge
Apple is closely watching this talent drain. In August, the company canceled an annual offsite in China, fearing that executives might defect. The concern highlights Apple’s reliance on its hardware business, which still generates over 70% of its revenue.
Despite this rivalry, Apple and OpenAI remain partners. Apple licenses OpenAI’s models for Siri and its Image Playground app, with talks ongoing for a deeper collaboration. However, the competition underscores a new reality: in the next era of devices, success may hinge less on sleek design and more on who leads in artificial intelligence.
