Why The New iPhone Air Excites OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has given a significant endorsement to Apple's latest smartphone, calling it the “first new iPhone upgrade I have really wanted in a while! Looks very cool.” This high praise from a leading figure in the tech industry has drawn considerable attention to Apple's newest device.

Apple Unveils the Ultra Slim iPhone Air

At its much-anticipated "Awe Dropping" event, Apple introduced the iPhone 17 series, with the new iPhone Air immediately stealing the spotlight. The device stands out as the slimmest phone Apple has ever produced, boasting a remarkable 5.6mm profile. This new design, combined with powerful internal hardware, marks a significant step in Apple's smartphone evolution.

Altman's enthusiasm was clear in a post on X. When an OpenAI staffer asked if his praise was directed at the iPhone Air, Altman confirmed with a simple, “Yes.”

iPhone Air Key Features and Specifications

The excitement surrounding the iPhone Air is backed by impressive technical details. The device is not just about its slim form factor; it's a powerhouse engineered for top-tier performance.

• Processor: It is powered by Apple’s new A19 Pro chip, paired with the C1X modem for enhanced connectivity.
• Display: The phone features a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with a smooth 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate.
• Camera: It includes a single 48-megapixel main camera on the back and an 18-megapixel front-facing camera for high-quality photos and videos.
• Battery: Apple claims the battery supports up to 27 hours of video playback and can be fast-charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

The AI Conversation From iPhone to Siri

The conversation around the new iPhone quickly pivoted to the future of artificial intelligence in Apple's ecosystem. Following Altman's post, Yuchen Jin, co-founder of Hyperbolic Labs, suggested that Apple should replace its native assistant Siri with ChatGPT’s voice assistant.

Altman responded positively, stating, “That tbh sounds like a great idea, I am supportive.” While this exchange sparked interest, a complete replacement is unlikely in the near future. OpenAI is already an exclusive partner, contributing AI technology to Apple Intelligence features and enhancing Siri through ChatGPT Extensions.

Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly developing its own advanced conversational assistant, internally known as "LLM Siri," using large language model technology similar to that of ChatGPT and Gemini. The launch of the iPhone Air has not only highlighted advancements in hardware but has also reignited discussions about the next generation of AI integration on our most personal devices.