ChatGPT-Powered Earbuds Are Reportedly in Development at OpenAI

Aspirational ChatGPT-enabled ear-worn apparatus designed to compete directly with AirPods

OpenAI's initial foray into consumer hardware is proving to be far from a mere imitation of AirPods. Amidst leaks and supply chain concerns, Sweetpea is developing as a wearable AI device intended for continuous use on the head, rather than being stored in a pocket. The design advances beyond stem buds to a metal eggstone-style main unit that has two pill-shaped modules positioned behind the ear, therefore accommodating additional sensors, microphones, and substantial processing capabilities.

Reports indicate the presence of a 2nm smartphone-grade Exynos chip, accompanied by a bespoke processor designed to execute Siri commands and efficiently replicate iPhone functionalities. The aim extends beyond mere voice controls for playlists, positioning Sweetpea as a perpetual ChatGPT interface capable of managing calls, audio, and potentially more complex phone-level operations without the need to frequently use a screen. Elevated bill-of-materials estimates, resembling those of a smartphone rather than conventional earbuds, suggest premium pricing and advanced features, indicating that OpenAI anticipates this to be a flagship device rather than a peripheral experiment.

The Sweetpea leak is also connected to a broader hardware narrative that Sam Altman and Jony Ive have been conceptualising since OpenAI's multibillion-dollar acquisition of io. In their collaborative correspondence, they characterised “a collection of devices that would enable individuals to utilise AI for the creation of various remarkable innovations.” Foxconn is apparently engaged to produce many OpenAI devices until 2028, with Sweetpea positioned as the initial offering. The AirPods-style wearable appears to be the inaugural step in a broader strategy to establish ChatGPT as a ubiquitous, ambient presence rather than merely an application accessed on a smartphone.