OpenAI plans to unveil its first AI device in late 2026 and will begin testing ads in ChatGPT's free tier soon.
OpenAI is gearing up to reveal its inaugural AI device in late 2026, as indicated by Chris Lehane, the company’s global affairs director, in an Axios interview.
The announcement follows OpenAI's acquisition of a startup led by former Apple design chief Jony Ive in May 2025, which specializes in AI devices. CEO Sam Altman has shared plans for the creation of 100 million "AI companions" aimed at seamlessly integrating into users' daily routines.
This upcoming device will be designed to be aware of its surroundings, compact enough to fit in a pocket or rest on a table, and is expected to become a primary device alongside the MacBook Pro and iPhone.
Notably, it will not be a phone, glasses, or wearable technology; both Ive and Altman aim to encourage users to reduce their screen time. The device is heralded as part of a "new design movement."
Lehane highlighted the device as a significant innovation for 2026, although it's still uncertain whether it will be available for purchase this year. Earlier in January, an insider, known as Smart Pikachu, revealed that OpenAI is also working on a new audio product intended to replace AirPods, codenamed "Sweetpea."
Smart Pikachu shared details about the device, indicating it will feature an egg-shaped case with two capsules designed to fit behind the ear, powered by a smartphone chip. Despite high material costs, the device is anticipated to deliver strong performance.
The product is expected to launch in September 2026, with initial sales projections of 40 to 50 million units within the first year. Foxconn is preparing to manufacture a total of five devices by Q4 2028, as per Smart Pikachu’s insights.
In addition, reports from October 2025 suggested that OpenAI is developing a palm-sized device capable of processing audio and visual signals, potentially a smart speaker.
Plans for 2026
OpenAI's CFO Sarah Friar outlined that 2026 will focus on practical implementations of AI technology. She emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between current AI capabilities and their everyday applications in various sectors, including healthcare and entrepreneurship.
Friar noted, "The priority is to bridge the gap between what is currently possible with artificial intelligence and how people, companies, and countries use it in everyday life."
OpenAI's computational power has surged from 0.2 GW in 2023 to 1.9 GW in 2025, with revenues skyrocketing from $2 billion to over $20 billion during that timeframe. However, the company faces scrutiny due to its unprofitability despite high revenues, with concerns about a potential bubble in the tech sector.
Friar stated, "Providing computational power requires commitments made years in advance, and growth does not occur in a perfectly linear fashion."
Advertising in ChatGPT
On January 16, OpenAI announced plans to begin testing advertisements in the free and low-cost tiers of ChatGPT in the upcoming weeks. The company assured that these ads will not interfere with the quality of responses, will be distinctly marked, and that user conversations will remain private.
OpenAI emphasized, "In the coming weeks, we plan to start testing ads in ChatGPT free and Go tiers, guided by putting user trust and transparency first."
Advertisements will not be featured in the Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscription plans. Altman has committed to ensuring that any paid messages are genuinely beneficial to users. Additionally, Elon Musk has recently sought to claim $134 billion from OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging unlawful profits made with his initial support.
