"We love our species. We want to be useful, and we think that humanity deserves much better than humanity generally is given." This profound statement from Jony Ive, speaking alongside Sam Altman at OpenAI DevDay [2025], cut through the typical tech discourse, anchoring their wide-ranging conversation in a distinctly human imperative. The discussion, held before a packed audience eager to glimpse the future of artificial intelligence, delved into the philosophical underpinnings of building in an era of unprecedented technological shift, emphasizing the craft of design, the nature of collaboration, and the essential role of human values.
Jony Ive, the visionary designer celebrated for his transformative work at Apple, shared his journey post-departure, detailing the formation of his interdisciplinary creative team. Comprising industrial designers, architects, graphic designers, and user interface specialists, the team’s initial ambition was simply to assemble the most powerful collective of creative minds. Yet, a fundamental question lingered: "we weren't really quite sure why." This existential quest for purpose found its clarity with the advent of ChatGPT, a moment Ive described as making their six years of preparation suddenly meaningful. He then reached out to Altman, recognizing the nascent technology's potential for a truly novel interface.
Altman, reflecting on their ongoing collaboration, posed a central question: how does Ive’s team bridge the gap between understanding a technological capability and delivering a product that feels "obviously right, and simple and beautiful, and always the thing that should have been the case, but impossible to have come up with before"? This "middle part" of creation, transforming raw potential into intuitive reality, is where Ive’s philosophy truly shines. It’s not merely about technical execution; it’s about a deeper, more fundamental motivation.
Ive’s response underscored the critical role of inner drive. "Our motivation... and our fuel is really important," he asserted, linking it directly to a desire to elevate human experience. His team’s approach is characterized by a relentless questioning of "received wisdom," a tenacious pursuit of understanding, and a willingness to explore ideas in their most nascent, "tentative, quiet, and essentially fragile" forms. This iterative process is nurtured by a foundation of trust and shared history within his team, allowing for the gentle exploration of concepts that are initially difficult to articulate.
The essence of this creative process, Ive suggested, lies in the indistinguishable qualities of "craft and care." He posited that true care is demonstrated not when it's convenient, but when one dedicates attention to details that might never be seen by the public. This relentless pursuit of perfection, even in the unseen, speaks volumes about the creator's intent. Such a philosophy stands in stark contrast to the often-impersonal pursuit of metrics, advocating for a profound respect for the user experience at every level.
The discussion naturally turned to the transformative power of AI itself. Altman noted that while existing devices like phones and computers are remarkable, AI suggests "something new to do" entirely. Ive concurred, drawing a parallel to the iPhone's multi-touch interface in 2007, which was "remarkably liberating" because it wasn't constrained by prior paradigms. Today, AI represents an even more "compelling, most exciting technology and capability" he’s ever encountered. The crucial element now is "the character of how we connect to this capability."
For Ive, success in this new era will be measured by a sense of inevitability. A truly great AI-powered tool, he believes, will feel so natural, so obvious, that users will wonder why it took so long to create. This vision necessitates shedding the "dogma associated with creating and engineering" that can stifle innovation. The rapidly evolving landscape of AI, Ive argues, levels the playing field; "It's new to all of us," demanding humility, relentless curiosity, and an unwavering focus to navigate its complexities.
This humility, coupled with a willingness to build new tools when existing ones fall short, is paramount. Ive admitted to personally struggling with focus amidst the overwhelming pace of change, highlighting the universal challenge faced by builders today. His ultimate hope for this technological revolution is not merely increased productivity, but a deeper human fulfillment. He envisions AI tools that will make us "happy and fulfilled and more peaceful and less anxious and less disconnected." This aspiration for technology to serve our deepest human needs, rather than merely our efficiency, forms the bedrock of their collaborative endeavor.
