- The Innovation AI
- Posts
- OpenAI aims to ship its first device in 2026, and it could be earbuds
OpenAI aims to ship its first device in 2026, and it could be earbuds
Plus: YouTube will soon let creators make Shorts with their own AI likeness

Today's Newsletter Highlights:
OpenAI aims to ship its first device in 2026, and it could be earbuds
YouTube will soon let creators make Shorts with their own AI likeness
Nvidia CEO Says AI Needs More Investment in Defiance of Bubble Fears
Best AI Tools
🎇 AI NEWS TODAY 🎇
Hiring in 8 countries shouldn't require 8 different processes
This guide from Deel breaks down how to build one global hiring system. You’ll learn about assessment frameworks that scale, how to do headcount planning across regions, and even intake processes that work everywhere. As HR pros know, hiring in one country is hard enough. So let this free global hiring guide give you the tools you need to avoid global hiring headaches.
OpenAI aims to ship its first device in 2026, and it could be earbuds

OpenAI plans to launch its first hardware device in 2026. Chris Lehane, the Chief Global Affairs Officer, said at a Davos panel that they're "on track" to announce the product in late 2026.
Key Points :
So far, OpenAI hasn’t shared details about how the device will look or work.
Reports suggest the first product could be AI-focused earbuds or an audio device, likely named “Sweetpea.” It may include a custom chip with advanced features, such as AI processing and voice interaction.
What Other Reports & Rumours Are Saying
Timeline
Most reports say OpenAI will reveal or ship the device late in 2026, not necessarily at the start of the year. Some sources think shipments could extend into early 2027.
🎧 Device Form Factor
Earbuds or audio wearables: Leaks show that new wireless earbuds or behind-the-ear modules come in a unique “metal eggstone” case. They may include a custom 2nm-class chip for local AI tasks, not just cloud data.
Rumoured Functions: These might include chatting with the AI, sensing the surroundings, and using voice commands to control devices such as phones.
What 100K+ Engineers Read to Stay Ahead
Your GitHub stars won't save you if you're behind on tech trends.
That's why over 100K engineers read The Code to spot what's coming next.
Get curated tech news, tools, and insights twice a week
Learn about emerging trends you can leverage at work in just 10 mins
Become the engineer who always knows what's next
YouTube will soon let creators make Shorts with their own AI likeness

YouTube said creators can soon use an AI version of themselves for Shorts. This means they can make short videos with a digital version of themselves, using AI. CEO Neal Mohan highlighted this in his letter about YouTube’s plans for 2026.
YouTube hasn’t explained how the AI likeness tool will work. This includes details about the creation process and timeline. However, it will be part of Shorts’ AI creation tools.
Key Points :
This update builds on existing Shorts AI features. This includes auto-dubbing, AI clip generation, and AI stickers. They help creators make content faster.
🤖 Part of YouTube’s Bigger AI Strategy
The likeness feature is part of YouTube’s broader plan to integrate AI across the platform by 2026. Other planned tools include:
AI-generated games and music creation with simple text prompts.
Better tools to help creators manage and protect their image and identity in AI content.
Efforts to maintain content quality and reduce low-quality “AI slop.”
đź”’ Creator Controls & Safety
YouTube recognises the risks of AI likeness and deepfakes. It has tools to detect and manage unauthorized likeness use. This includes tools that help creators find and ask to remove AI content using their face or voice.
Investor notes without the rewrite
Dictate meeting recaps, strategic plans, and executive summaries and get polished writing ready to paste. Wispr Flow preserves nuance and formats numbers and lists cleanly. Try Wispr Flow for founders.
Nvidia CEO Says AI Needs More Investment in Defiance of Bubble Fears

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang spoke at an event during the World Economic Forum in Davos. He spoke about worries regarding AI investment. He dismissed worries about a “bubble.” He also stressed the need for more funding to grow AI infrastructure globally.
Huang called the current AI growth “the single largest infrastructure buildout in human history.” He stressed that we need more energy, land, and skilled workers, not just money, to support this growth.
Key Points:
He urged wider participation in AI, stating the opportunity is “extraordinary” and that “everybody ought to get involved.” This counters claims that investment levels are already too high.
Context: Bubble fears vs. bullish views
Bubble concerns: Some investors, like Michael Burry, fear that the rapid rise in AI spending and valuations resembles previous market bubbles. He recently said the AI investment frenzy is “too big to save” if it collapses.
Bullish views: Other finance leaders, such as BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, dismiss the idea of an AI bubble. They argue that AI investment reflects global competition, particularly with China. Sustainable growth requires collaboration and strategic funding.
Why Nvidia’s stance matters
Nvidia is key to the AI economy, as its GPUs power most large AI models and data centres. Huang believes that AI demand is real and driven by infrastructure. This view influences how investors and companies see the industry's health.
His comments arrive during ongoing ups and downs in AI stocks. There are debates about whether this surge is hype or a real change.
🎇 TOP NEW AI TOOLS 🎇
Free AI Tools You Shouldn’t Miss
🔥 Where is this place - Find where any photo was taken!
🔥 Voibe - On device voice dictation app for Mac!
🔥 Doculearn - Intelligent Productivity Platform!
🔥 Linkfolio - Create your portfolio in minutes!
🔥 StealthHound - Your browser's blind spots, Exposed!
Move us from the 'Promotions' to your 'Primary Inbox' and get AI news, tips, and tutorials delivered straight to you. Don't miss your chance to stay on top of the AI industry's latest buzz!



