Vision Pro Executive Moving to OpenAI, Reports Say

Paul Meade, currently serving as Vice President at Apple and leading the Vision Products Group, is set to transition to OpenAI next week. According to Bloomberg, Meade, who is responsible for the development of the Vision Pro headset and various smart glasses initiatives, will spearhead the hardware division of the AI company. OpenAI has been collaborating with Jony Ive’s startup since 2025 to create AI-enhanced devices. Although Ive’s company merged with OpenAI in a substantial $6.5 billion deal, it operates independently.

The implications of establishing a dedicated hardware department at OpenAI on its collaboration with Ive’s startup remain uncertain. Bloomberg indicates that Meade will manage the creation of a range of AI-driven devices. Earlier reports from The Information suggested that Ive’s design studio is also focused on developing several AI gadgets, including a smart speaker anticipated for release in 2027.

During his tenure at Apple, Meade directed hardware engineering for the Vision Pro headset for seven years while also leading the smart glasses projects. Previous announcements indicated that Apple’s inaugural smart glasses would not debut until late 2027. Before joining the Vision Products Group in 2017, he contributed to the development of both the iPad and iPhone, later overseeing the group’s hardware engineering. Fletcher Rothkopf, a founding member of the Apple Vision Pro team, will assume many of Meade’s duties.

Bloomberg reveals that Meade’s decision to leave is linked to John Ternus’s upcoming promotion to CEO of Apple. Ternus, currently the Senior Vice President of hardware engineering, is set to replace Tim Cook on September 1.