OpenAI has made frequent investments recently, and its investment strategy is no longer limited to the software field. The editor of Downcodes learned that OpenAI participated in the $60 million Series B financing of hardware startup Opal, which focuses on professional-grade webcams and is supported by well-known YouTube creators and TikTok stars. This move has attracted widespread attention in the industry and is interpreted as another strong evidence that OpenAI is entering the hardware field and seeking new paths for the practical application of AI technology. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has a strong interest in building consumer-grade AI devices. He has previously invested in Humane and worked with former Apple designers to develop personal AI devices. This investment in Opal may be a further extension of its AI hardware strategy.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been interested in building a consumer-grade artificial intelligence device, similar to the one shown in the Spike Jonze movie "Her." He personally invested in the wearable AI startup Humane and collaborated with former Apple designer Jony Ive to develop personal AI devices. Now, OpenAI's entrepreneurial fund is continuing on this road and decided to invest in Opal, another hardware development company.
Note: The picture comes from a screenshot of Opal’s official page
In Opal's new device, OpenAI's technology may be integrated, especially functions related to image and video generation models. In fact, Opal is not the first time to apply artificial intelligence technology in consumer electronics. Long before launching Tadpole, they released a webcam called the C1, which uses machine learning to optimize video quality while supporting effects such as background blur.
It is worth mentioning that Opal is also supported by YouTube creator Casey Neistat and TikTok star sisters Charlie and Dixie D'Amelio. Opal is best known for its $300 professional-grade webcam, which might not seem like an obvious investment for a large language model development company.
OpenAI’s more hardware ambitions
OpenAI's interest is not limited to the field of consumer electronics. They have recently been discussing the development of customized AI chips with Broadcom, which further shows their ambitions in hardware.
OpenAI's investment in Opal has attracted a lot of attention. Opal has always been focused on webcams and is well-known in the video creation community. OpenAI continues to explore in the field of artificial intelligence, trying to find more innovative application scenarios. The background of this investment may be that OpenAI hopes to further promote the practical application of its AI technology through hardware cooperation.
We see that OpenAI is constantly expanding its investment landscape to support start-ups that can create synergies with its AI technology.
Highlight:
OpenAI led a $60 million Series B round of financing to invest in hardware startup Opal.
? Opal is backed by well-known YouTubers and TikTok stars and specializes in professional webcams.
OpenAI hopes to further promote the practical application of AI technology through hardware cooperation.
OpenAI’s investment in Opal shows that its layout in the field of AI hardware is becoming increasingly clear. There may be more similar cooperation in the future. It is worthy of our continued attention to its innovation and development in the field of hardware.