Did you ever expect the world’s top AI visionary to geek out over a new smartphone? Sam Altman, the brain behind OpenAI, just declared Apple’s iPhone 17 the first upgrade he’s craved in years!

Apple’s annual “Awe Dropping” event on Tuesday was every bit the spectacle fans have come to anticipate—think dazzling stage, big reveals, and a global buzz that set social media ablaze. The stars of the show? The iPhone 17 series, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11, plus a next-gen AirPods Pro. Mark your calendars: these gadgets hit shelves on September 19, launching simultaneously in over 50 countries, including powerhouses like the US, UK, India, Japan, across the EU, and the UAE. If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, you’re not alone—AI experts themselves are hyped.

One of the most unexpected moments of the night came not from the Apple stage, but from Twitter (now X). Sam Altman—the face of OpenAI and a name almost synonymous with artificial intelligence—couldn’t contain his excitement. "First new iPhone upgrade I have really wanted in a while! Looks very cool," he tweeted, instantly sending ripples through the tech world. In a follow-up, when asked by OpenAI staffer Edwin Arbus if he meant the iPhone Air, Altman simply replied, "Yes." So, yes—the man shaping the future of AI has his sights set on the sleek new iPhone Air.

But the conversation didn’t stop there. Yuchen Jin, CTO and co-founder of Hyperbolic Labs, threw a curveball into the comment section: What if Apple replaced Siri with a ChatGPT-powered voice assistant? Altman didn’t just like the idea—he publicly supported it, replying, "That tbh sounds like a great idea, I am supportive." Imagine your iPhone powered not just by Apple’s own smarts, but by the AI that’s redefining the industry. The prospect alone is enough to stir up a frenzy among both Apple fans and AI enthusiasts.

So what makes the iPhone 17 lineup so groundbreaking that it’s winning over even the sharpest minds in AI? Apple’s latest flagships—the Pro, Pro Max, Air, and standard iPhone 17—feature one of the most significant design and power upgrades in years. Every device ships with the all-new iOS 26 and, for the first time ever, integrates "Apple Intelligence": on-device AI tools that can translate languages lightning-fast, recognize images with uncanny accuracy, and supercharge your messaging with smart, context-aware features. The AI generated newscast about iPhone 17 is already making waves, and with this much innovation packed into a single launch, the hype feels totally justified.

As the dust settles on Apple’s big night, one thing is clear: the line between Silicon Valley’s biggest minds and everyday consumers has never been thinner. When even Sam Altman can’t wait to upgrade, you know the tech world just shifted.