The reported device, internally codenamed Gumdrop, could merge handwriting, voice input and ChatGPT-powered intelligence into a screen-free tool, signalling OpenAI’s continued push to rethink how people interact with artificial intelligence beyond apps and smartphones.
OpenAI, best known for creating ChatGPT, is reportedly
experimenting with an unconventional hardware concept—an AI-powered pen.
According to industry chatter attributed to a tipster known as Smart Pikachu,
the company has been quietly developing the device under the internal name
“Gumdrop.” While OpenAI has made no official announcement, the rumour has
sparked interest across the tech community, given the company’s growing
ambitions beyond software.
A pen that goes beyond writing
Unlike a traditional writing instrument, the proposed pen is
expected to blend physical note-taking with artificial intelligence. Reports
suggest it could digitise handwritten notes instantly, converting them into
editable text. Voice input may also be a core feature, allowing users to
dictate notes that are transcribed in real time. The device is also rumoured to
function as a compact audio tool, capable of recording speech and potentially
responding like a voice assistant.
A key differentiator could be direct integration with
ChatGPT. Notes written or spoken using the pen may be processed by the AI model
to organise information, generate summaries, or rewrite content. Such
functionality could appeal to students attending long lectures and
professionals navigating frequent meetings, offering a hands-on alternative to
laptops and smartphones.
Manufacturing talks and strategic context
On the production side, OpenAI is said to be exploring
manufacturing partnerships. While Luxshare was earlier linked to the project,
recent reports indicate Foxconn—best known for assembling iPhones—is now in
discussions. Manufacturing is reportedly being considered in Vietnam, with some
deliberation around partial production in the United States.
The move into hardware reflects broader lessons from recent
AI gadget launches. Screen-free devices such as Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin
struggled to gain traction due to limited real-world utility. If Gumdrop
progresses beyond concept, OpenAI will face pressure to demonstrate that a
standalone AI device can deliver practical, everyday value rather than novelty.
What’s striking is that McLeod — someone who has spent a
decade building one of the most popular dating apps — is both optimistic and
deeply uneasy about AI’s role in our relationships. He wrote that AI isn’t just
mediating our connections anymore. “AI is now attempting to interact directly
with us.”
He understands the appeal — constant companionship during a
loneliness epidemic — but warns it comes at a cost:
“Real relationships involve risk, vulnerability, effort and
reciprocity…We should be very worried when people start choosing artificial
intimacy over the real thing.”
Social media already primed us for overstimulation and shortcuts; AI may supercharge both. How will our relationship with AI evolve if we have an always-on device? In this week’s issue, we get an inside look at how OpenAI is building its first AI device, plus fresh data on how soon businesses expect to adopt AI. Scroll on.
By Advik Gupta
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