# AI-Podcast: What is OpenAI's new device? Marie Kilg and Gregor Schmalzried report in this episode of the AI-Podcast from TECH 2025 in Heilbronn, a conference on Artificial Intelligence and Technology. Marie Kilg is Chief AI Officer at Deutsche Welle, and Gregor Schmalzried works as a freelance tech journalist. Also joining as a guest is Naureen Mahmood, founder of the Tübingen startup Meshcapade. ### 1. OpenAI is planning a mysterious physical device OpenAI is working with former Apple designer Johnny Ive on a device that is scheduled to be released in 2026. Sam Altman wants to "very quickly ship around 100 million" of these devices. It is not supposed to have a screen and could be a kind of companion device. "And it's supposed to be a companion device that connects to your smartphone, computer, and everything else you might have. But it's not supposed to have a screen itself." ### 2. The device could be a drone or a portable AI system The hosts speculate that it might be a drone. "I think it's a drone. And do you know why I think it's a drone? Because that's the answer to the question of what it can do that an app can't." A key challenge is to develop a device that cannot be replaced by an app on a smartphone. ### 3. "Embodied AI" could give AI systems access to the physical world AI needs to understand the physical world in order to interact with it in a meaningful way. Current AI models lack an understanding of physics and the three-dimensional world. "It has no sense of time. It doesn't know how humans move. It only knows text and the sequence of words in some way." ### 4. The industry is working on AI solutions for the physical world Especially in industry and manufacturing, applications are important where AI systems can interact with the physical world. "So, does AI need a body? It depends on what you want to do with it. But if you want AI that works in the real world, then you have to go into the real world." ### 5. New video models would be even more realistic Google has introduced new video models that are significantly more realistic than previous ones. "This generated auto show, that was the first time I thought, okay, now I really have to take a close look to notice what's AI." ## Breakdown The podcast offers an entertaining insight into current AI developments, with a focus on the physical dimension of artificial intelligence. The discussion oscillates between in-depth technical knowledge and speculative elements, with the hosts finding a balanced balance between technical depth and accessibility. Notably, there is a critical look at the announcement culture of large tech companies ("OpenAI is constantly announcing all sorts of things") - an important counterpoint to the often uncritical reporting on tech innovations. However, the dialogue primarily reflects a technology-optimistic perspective. While practical application possibilities and technical challenges are discussed in detail, societal implications such as data protection issues, surveillance potential, or socio-economic effects of "embodied AI" remain largely untreated. The discussion would have benefited from a deeper exploration of ethical dimensions, especially given the possibility that AI systems could permanently monitor humans. Listening recommendation: The podcast offers an accessible introduction to the topic of "Embodied AI" and current AI developments with entertaining speculations about upcoming technologies - ideal for tech-interested listeners who are looking for a first overview without wanting to deal with complex ethical issues.