OpenAI Rebuilds Around Audio in Push Toward Voice-First AI
Internal team reshuffles point to a bet that conversation, not screens, will anchor the next phase of consumer AI.
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OpenAI is reorganising its teams and technology around audio as it prepares for what it sees as the next phase of consumer artificial intelligence, according to The Information.
Over the past two months, OpenAI has merged several engineering, product, and research groups to rebuild its audio models as part of a broader push toward an audio-first personal device that could debut in about a year, The Information reported.
The effort goes beyond improving ChatGPT’s voice capabilities and reflects a strategic bet that voice, rather than screens, will become the dominant interface for interacting with AI.
The shift aligns with broader industry moves. Voice assistants are already embedded in smart speakers across a large share of US households, while companies are testing audio-driven features in wearables, vehicles and search.
Meta has added audio enhancements in its Ray-Ban smart glasses to improve hearing in noisy environments, Google has begun testing audio summaries of search results, and Tesla is integrating conversational AI into its vehicles.
OpenAI’s planned audio model, expected in early 2026, is designed to sound more natural and support real conversation, including interruptions and overlapping speech.
Current AI systems typically require users to wait for responses before speaking again. The company is also said to be exploring a range of devices that rely primarily on voice, potentially including screenless speakers or glasses, rather than traditional displays.
The renewed focus comes as startups and large technology firms alike test new audio-centric hardware concepts, with mixed results. Some products have struggled to gain traction or raised concerns around privacy, while others remain in development with launches planned for 2026.
OpenAI’s hardware ambitions have also been shaped by its recent acquisition of a design firm founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, who has publicly argued that audio-first devices could reduce reliance on screens and help counter device overuse.
The company has not publicly detailed its hardware roadmap, but the internal restructuring suggests audio is becoming central to its long-term consumer strategy as competition intensifies around how people interact with artificial intelligence in everyday settings.
