Leaked: OpenAI’s first hardware could be AI-powered earbuds

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch its first consumer hardware product as a pair of AI-enabled earbuds, potentially called “Dime,” focusing on hands-free voice interaction. More advanced AI devices may follow after supply constraints ease.

OpenAI, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence powerhouse behind ChatGPT, may be on the brink of launching its first consumer hardware product: AI-powered smart earbuds. According to recent leaks from industry tipster Smart Pikachu, the company’s debut hardware could be a pair of audio wearables that blend voice-first AI interactions with a wireless listening experience, potentially shipping as early as early 2027.

While OpenAI has already publicly confirmed that it is working on its first piece of AI hardware, the firm has yet to specify what form factor that device will take. At a recent event, the company’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Chris Lehane, said they plan to release their first consumer product later this year — but declined to provide firm details about the design or launch timing.

Earbuds as the Entry Point

The leaked information suggests that OpenAI’s first product might be a pair of smart earbuds potentially branded as “Dime,” a name said to surface in a recently uncovered patent filing in China linked to the company. The earbuds are expected to serve as a hands-free gateway to OpenAI’s AI models, allowing users to engage in voice commands, receive real-time assistance, and access intelligent audio features without needing a smartphone screen.

Rather than launching a fully fledged AI device with advanced on-board computing, OpenAI appears to be pursuing a more entry-level hardware strategy with these earbuds. This simpler form factor would allow the company to enter the consumer hardware market with lower manufacturing costs and fewer technical hurdles while gaining valuable experience building and supporting a physical AI product.

Strategic Shift and Component Challenges

Behind the scenes, OpenAI’s broader hardware ambitions may have faced some setbacks. Reports indicate that a more advanced, phone-like AI device, originally envisioned to include significant on-device computing horsepower, has been delayed. This delay is reportedly linked to a shortage of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and rising component prices, which have impacted the economics of building more powerful AI wearables. As a result, OpenAI may opt to release the simpler earbuds first in 2026, with a more sophisticated device following later once supply constraints ease.

Global shortages in high-bandwidth memory and other semiconductor components have affected numerous tech firms in recent years, pushing up costs and complicating launch plans for hardware that relies on cutting-edge chips. OpenAI’s rumored pivot toward simpler earbuds may reflect these broader supply-chain pressures.

Vision for Consumer AI Hardware

The idea of earbuds as OpenAI’s first hardware product underscores a broader trend in AI moving beyond traditional screens and into always-on, context-aware form factors. By integrating AI capabilities directly into audio wearables, the company could make voice interaction with its models more seamless and immediate, positioning the technology for everyday use.

Industry watchers also note that OpenAI’s hardware efforts go beyond a single product. The company has been exploring various form factors and potential designs, and insiders suggest that multiple AI-centric devices could be part of a longer-term roadmap. However, for now, the earbuds seem to be the clearest signal of what OpenAI might unveil first.

Despite the excitement and speculation, it’s worth noting that the details remain unconfirmed, and OpenAI has not officially acknowledged the product name “Dime” or its specific features. Still, the leaks have generated significant buzz, and if the timeline holds, this could mark a major milestone in OpenAI’s evolution from a software-centric AI leader into a full-fledged consumer hardware innovator.