Mysterious Device: Is US Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia Testing

US Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia, cofounder of Airbnb, has ignited a firestorm of speculation after being spotted in San Francisco today using a mysterious metallic device. A social media post, featuring Gebbia with ear-bisecting metallic buds and a matching clamshell disc, quickly went viral, prompting widespread suggestions that it could be a prototype from OpenAI's highly anticipated hardware line designed in partnership with famed Apple designer Jony Ive.

Viral Sighting Sparks OpenAI Hardware Rumors

The imagery, shared on X and viewed over 500,000 times, captures a man resembling Gebbia at a coffee shop, espresso in hand. He wears distinctive metallic earbuds that appear to bisect his ears, complemented by a matching clamshell-shaped disc placed on the counter in front of him.

Social media users were quick to draw parallels between this device and hardware seen in a widely circulated, albeit fake, OpenAI advertisement from February. That unauthentic video, which OpenAI President Greg Brockman swiftly dismissed as "fake news" at the time, seemingly depicted actor Alexander Skarsgård interacting with similar-looking earbuds and a circular disc.

Despite OpenAI's past denials regarding the pseudo-ad, the new sighting has reignited hopes among online commentators that this could be a legitimate glimpse into the company's future hardware devices.

OpenAI's Silence Amidst Partnership Context

An OpenAI spokesperson declined to comment when WIRED reached out regarding the potential Gebbia video, and Gebbia himself did not respond to requests for comment. The company's silence, coupled with the existing buzz, only intensifies the mystery.

Anticipation for OpenAI's foray into hardware has been brewing since last May, when CEO Sam Altman and Jony Ive announced a partnership to create a unique line of AI-powered devices. In a curious coincidence, Ive and Altman were also pictured sipping espressos in their announcement video, mirroring Gebbia’s current setting.

Ive previously expressed his vision for these upcoming AI devices, hoping they would "make us happy and fulfilled, and more peaceful and less anxious, and less disconnected."

Exploring Alternative Device Theories

While the OpenAI connection currently dominates online discussions, other plausible explanations for Gebbia's device exist. The earbuds, for instance, bear a resemblance to the Huawei FreeClip 2, an open earbud model released earlier this year.

However, the clamshell case seen on the coffee counter differs from Huawei’s recent headphone cases. Furthermore, it would be highly surprising if a US government official were using Huawei technology, given the Chinese company's effective ban from selling its phones in the US due to security concerns.

WIRED's audio experts have suggested Gebbia is most likely wearing open earbuds, noting similarities in shape to Soundcore's AeroClips or Sony's LinkBuds Clip. Yet, the cases for these alternative buds do not match the distinct disc on the table in front of Gebbia.

Another theory posits that the device could be a hardware prototype from a different company entirely. Numerous firms, from small startups to larger tech giants, are actively developing hardware centered around generative AI models, despite recent high-profile setbacks like the Humane Ai Pin.

Deepfake Possibility and Gebbia's Role

Adding another layer of uncertainty, WIRED ran the photo and video through AI detection software from Hive. The software indicated a low probability that the imagery of Gebbia was generated by AI or constituted a deepfake. However, the article cautions that AI detectors are not always reliable and can produce false outputs, meaning the entire post could still be a synthetic hoax.

Gebbia holds a unique and relatively new position as the US Chief Design Officer, a role established by an executive order from President Trump, making him the first person to serve in this capacity. His responsibilities primarily involve recruiting top creative talent, coordinating with executive departments, and devising innovative solutions, largely focused on enhancing the usability of government websites.

What's Next for the Mysterious Device?

The timing of this potential "soft launch teaser" could strategically align with OpenAI's projected timeline, as the company may ship devices to consumers sometime in early 2027. Yet, OpenAI has consistently denied any involvement with previous pseudo-ads for metallic AI hardware.

Despite the fervent speculation, it remains entirely possible that the device is simply an "odd-looking set of unidentified headphones" and this entire incident amounts to nothing more than social media brouhaha. The tech world remains curious, eagerly awaiting to see which theory, if any, ultimately prevails.

FAQ

Q: Who is Joe Gebbia and what is his role? A: Joe Gebbia is the cofounder of Airbnb and currently serves as the US Chief Design Officer, a position he was appointed to by President Trump. His role focuses on recruiting creative talent, coordinating with government agencies, and finding innovative solutions, particularly for improving government website usability.

Q: Why do people suspect the device is from OpenAI? A: The device Gebbia was seen using bears a strong resemblance to hardware featured in a widely circulated (but fake) OpenAI advertisement from February, which showed similar earbuds and a circular disc. This, combined with OpenAI's announced partnership with Jony Ive to create AI-powered devices, fuels the speculation.

Q: Could the video of Joe Gebbia be fake? A: WIRED ran the photo and video through AI detection software from Hive, which indicated a low probability of it being AI-generated or a deepfake. However, the article notes that AI detectors are not always reliable, and it's still possible the entire post could be a synthetic hoax.