OpenAI buys AI camera startup ahead of mystery gadget launch

OpenAI has quietly acquired an AI startup that builds cameras for smartphones, according to a report.

The ChatGPT creator bought California-based Glass Imaging in a deal worth over $300 million, The Wall Street Journal reported, with industry speculation suggesting the firm's technology will be used in OpenAI's "trillion-dollar" mystery gadget.

Founded by former Apple employees Ziv Attar and Tom Bishop, Glass Imaging claims that its custom artificial intelligence software boosts camera performance by up to 10 times.

The AI works on top of its hardware to reduce image noise and blur, while also improving zoom quality.

The company's website claims that its Neural Image Signal Processing technology is able to "reverse lens and sensor imperfections to deliver unmatched image quality like never before, even in the most demanding conditions".

OpenAI's latest acquisition comes amid speculation surrounding an AI-powered device being developed by the tech giant in collaboration with renowned iPhone designer Jony Ive.

The new gadget, which is expected to be unveiled next year, has been described by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as "the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen".

In a promotional video last year, Mr Ive claimed that the device would help to counteract some of the harmful impacts of smartphones.