OpenAI Abandons 'io' Branding for Its AI Hardware

A court filing in a trademark lawsuit reveals OpenAI won't use the name "io" for its AI hardware device, which isn't expected to ship until 2027. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks to members of the press in Sun Valley, Idaho. OpenAI will not use the name " io " for its forthcoming line of AI hardware devices, according to a Monday court filing. The motion is part of a trademark infringement lawsuit filed last year by audio device startup iyO, which sued OpenAI after it acquired famed Apple designer Jony Ive's startup io. Peter Welinder, OpenAI's vice president and general manager, said in the filing that OpenAI had reviewed its product-naming strategy and "decided not to use the name'io' (or'IYO,' or any capitalization of either) in connection with the naming, advertising, marketing, or sale of any artificial intelligence-enabled hardware products."