OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed a strategic partnership with Samsung to develop a new AI-powered device. The initiative aims to create a successor to the smartphone, with a focus on a device that operates without traditional applications and proactively manages user tasks.
During a closed-door meeting on October 31, 2026, Altman outlined the concept of a compact, screenless smart speaker that fits in the palm of a hand. He explicitly ruled out smart glasses, citing concerns that they create social barriers during interpersonal communication.
OpenAI intends to launch this hardware in 2027. Altman emphasized that the device will collect data from the physical environment, necessitating a broader societal discussion regarding data privacy and human dependence on artificial intelligence.
Altman urged Samsung to pursue a full-scale AI transformation across its electronics, finance, and biotechnology divisions. He noted that while using AI as a support tool can increase efficiency by 2–3 times, delegating entire workflows to AI could boost productivity by up to 100 times.
OpenAI has already integrated AI into its internal operations. The company utilizes an AI agent named Codex, which assists in management decisions, including evaluating the necessity of hiring new personnel by analyzing whether current tasks can be automated.
