Altman and Ive Discuss AI's Future: Designing for Happiness and Fulfillment

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and former Apple design chief Jony Ive take the stage at OpenAI DevDay 2025 in San Francisco, discussing the future of artificial intelligence and its role in creating tools that enhance human happiness and fulfillment.

The event, which marks nearly two years since OpenAI's last developer conference, features a series of announcements including the launch of App SDK, AgentKit, ChatKit, and Codex. The company also reveals an AI chip agreement with AMD, adding to its recent infrastructure deals with Nvidia and Oracle.

Key Highlights from the Event

Altman kicks off the keynote, highlighting the advancements and new tools OpenAI is introducing. These include:

• App SDK: A toolkit for developers to integrate AI into their applications.
• AgentKit: A platform for building intelligent agents.
• ChatKit: A conversational AI framework.
• Codex: An AI model for generating code.

These tools aim to empower developers and businesses to leverage AI more effectively and efficiently.

Altman and Ive on the Stage

During the closing session, Altman and Ive engage in a conversation about the future of AI and its impact on society. Ive, known for his work on some of Apple's most iconic products, shares his perspective on designing for the AI era.

"We love our species and we want to be useful," Ive says, emphasizing the importance of creating AI-driven products that bring joy and reduce anxiety. "I've never in my career come across anything vaguely like the affordance, like the capability that we're now starting to see."

When asked about the challenges of working with rapidly evolving AI, Ive acknowledges the extraordinary pace of change. "From one week to the next, there's something else and then something else," he says, noting that staying focused can be a significant challenge.

Designing for Joy and Inclusivity

Ive expresses his desire to bring fun back to product design, while being mindful of the risks. He emphasizes the need to create interfaces that make people smile and feel included, rather than excluded or overwhelmed.

"In terms of the devices being designed, in terms of the interfaces we design, they need to make people smile and not be just another deeply serious sort of exclusive thing," Ive states.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

The announcements and discussions at OpenAI DevDay 2025 underscore the company's commitment to advancing AI technology and making it accessible to a broader audience. The new partnerships and tools are expected to drive further innovation and adoption of AI in various industries.

As the event concludes, attendees leave the venue for a reception, reflecting on the day's insights and the potential for AI to shape a more positive and inclusive future.

References

• OpenAI DevDay 2025: Live updates and analysis from the AI startup