Leak Claims OpenAI Is Working on ChatGPT Earbuds With Massive AI Power

OpenAI is pushing deeper into consumer hardware as it expands beyond software and healthcare-focused AI tools. After introducing ChatGPT Health, the company now appears to be working on physical products, starting with AI-powered earbuds designed for everyday use.

OpenAI moves beyond software with AI-first consumer hardware

According to leaks posted on X, OpenAI is developing ChatGPT-enabled earbuds codenamed “Sweetpea,” a product positioned to compete directly with Apple AirPods. The move highlights OpenAI’s broader strategy to bring its AI technology into consumer devices instead of limiting it to apps and cloud-based services.

Design leaks describe Sweetpea with a distinctive metal charging case shaped like an “eggstone,” paired with pill-like modules that sit behind the ear rather than inside the ear canal. This unconventional design could improve comfort while clearly separating Sweetpea from traditional in-ear earbuds.

ChatGPT-powered Sweetpea earbuds aim to rival Apple AirPods

On the technical side, Sweetpea may rely on a smartphone-class 2 nm chip, such as Samsung Exynos, to deliver advanced on-device AI processing. This hardware could enable real-time voice commands, conversational AI assistance, and hands-free support that goes beyond standard audio playback.

Reports also suggest the earbuds might interact with iPhone features by issuing commands to Siri, potentially offering a new way to control devices using ChatGPT-powered interactions without constant cloud reliance.

OpenAI is reportedly working with former Apple design chief Jony Ive and his team on the hardware’s industrial and creative direction. For manufacturing, the company may partner with Foxconn, with plans that extend beyond Sweetpea to other AI-driven devices by 2028.

Some leaks point to a possible September 2026 launch window, with internal targets of 40 to 50 million units shipped in the first year. While OpenAI has not confirmed these details, the project signals serious ambitions in the competitive consumer audio market.

In other AI news, reports suggest Gemini could power Siri, hinting at major changes ahead in the voice assistant landscape.