Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (left), and Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, sit side-by-side at a dinner hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House in the United States on September 4, last year (local time). EPA=Yonhap News 

OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is reportedly focusing on strengthening its voice AI models to launch an AI device that interacts through voice.

OpenAI has reorganized its structure by integrating its engineering, product, and research teams to improve its audio model for AI devices, according to US IT media The Information, citing internal sources on the 1st (local time).

Through this, OpenAI plans to release a new audio model capable of more natural and emotional responses in the first quarter of this year, sources said.

The work on the audio AI model is reportedly being led by a person named Kundan Kumar, who was recently recruited from 'Character.AI'.

Industry observers speculate that OpenAI is preparing several types of AI devices, such as glasses and smart speakers, that can converse through voice without a screen.

Sam Altman, CEO, had previously hinted in an interview with the Wall Street Journal last month that "devices will play a crucial role in how people use AI" and that "a real competition will unfold between OpenAI and Apple."

Indeed, OpenAI acquired Jony Ive's startup 'io' for $6.5 billion, which was responsible for Apple's product design, and has also signed a contract with Luxshare, a Chinese supplier that manufactures Apple products.

Sam Altman, CEO, had also commented in November last year after examining Ive's prototype, describing the design as "something I want to take a bite out of."

Regarding the release date of the device, Ive stated at the time, "within two years."

Ive also expressed the opinion that a screenless form factor could reduce the potential for people to become addicted to devices.

Having personally designed the iPhone, he stated regarding smartphone addiction, "Even if the intentions are pure, if you are involved in something that has a bad outcome, you have to take responsibility. Personally, that sense of responsibility has driven much of what I have done."

Meanwhile, OpenAI faced criticism in May 2024 after unveiling its voice AI model 'Sky'.

The model's voice was very similar to that of Scarlett Johansson, who voiced the AI 'Samantha' in the movie 'Her,' but it was revealed that Johansson's consent had not been obtained.