Apple VP Paul Meade joins OpenAI hardware unit

A senior Apple executive responsible for the company's augmented reality headset and smart glasses projects is departing to lead a new hardware division at OpenAI. Paul Meade, the Vice President of Hardware Engineering for Apple's Vision Products Group, is set to leave the company and will start at OpenAI next week, according to reports.

Meade will oversee the development of a family of AI-powered devices for OpenAI. His departure marks a significant talent shift between the two companies, as OpenAI builds out its hardware ambitions. Meade led the hardware engineering for the Apple Vision Pro headset for seven years and was also spearheading Apple's efforts to develop its first smart glasses, which are expected to be released in late 2027.

His move follows OpenAI's acquisition of a hardware startup, io, formed in partnership with famed Apple designer Jony Ive in 2025. That venture remains independent, and it is unclear how Meade's new in-house hardware unit will affect OpenAI's existing collaboration with Ive's studio. Reports indicate Ive's team is also developing AI devices, including a smart speaker anticipated for 2027.

At Apple, Meade's responsibilities as head of the Vision...