OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman recently made headlines by gifting a unique miniature keyboard to executives at Samsung Group. This device, known as the Codex Micro keyboard, is tailored for vibe coding rather than traditional typing, embodying Altman’s vision for the future of human-computer interaction.
Altman visited a Samsung training center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where he participated in a fireside chat with over 50 Samsung Electronics leaders and affiliates. During this event, he introduced the Codex Micro keyboards, emphasizing that they represent a shift away from full keyboards in favor of voice commands and AI interactions.
The Codex Micro Keyboard is the first hardware product launched under the OpenAI brand, designed in collaboration with mechanical keyboard expert Work Louder. Unlike standard keyboards, it operates as a macro pad, featuring 13 mechanical switches, including a Talk button, a rotary dial for AI reasoning level adjustments, a joystick, and touch sensors. Additionally, it uses lighting indicators to show the AI’s operational status, allowing users to see if the AI is reasoning or executing commands. Priced at $230, this innovative keyboard is currently sold out.
Altman’s gift not only showcases OpenAI’s commitment to enhancing AI user interaction but also highlights the necessity of leveraging AI to create superior products, rather than merely adopting the technology. Speculation about OpenAI’s future hardware products suggests a range of devices under development, including AI glasses and earbuds, potentially creating new business avenues for Samsung Electronics, which may supply necessary processors for these devices.
In addition to this collaboration, OpenAI and Samsung have been strengthening their partnership. Last October, the two companies signed an agreement to collaborate on AI infrastructure, including the provision of memory chips for OpenAI’s Stargate project. Samsung SDS is also involved in AI data center development and enterprise AI services.
High-level exchanges between the companies continue, exemplified by Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s visit to OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco this past July. On the same day as his meeting with Samsung, Altman also had lunch with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, where senior executives from SK hynix and SK Telecom were present.
