Apple is developing a wearable “AI pin” capable of listening to conversations and responding to spoken commands, as the iPhone maker looks to regain momentum in the fast-moving artificial intelligence race.

The disc-shaped device, which would be equipped with speakers, microphones and cameras, is at an early stage of development but could eventually go on sale later this decade. According to reports, the wearable would be designed to clip onto clothing or be worn as an accessory, allowing users to interact with AI without taking out their phone.

The project was first reported by The Information, which said Apple is exploring a standalone product or a companion device for future smart glasses. Internal estimates suggest Apple could manufacture up to 20 million units when the product eventually launches, though it is not expected before 2027.

The prototype device is understood to include three microphones, pointing to a strong focus on accurately capturing voice commands, as well as a physical button. Some AI wearables are activated manually, while others continuously monitor surrounding conversations, a distinction that could prove sensitive for a company that has long positioned privacy as a core brand value.

Any always-listening device would present a challenge for Apple, whose chief executive Tim Cook has repeatedly emphasised user privacy as a competitive advantage. Apple’s existing products, including the iPhone and Apple Watch, already use microphones that activate when users say “Hey Siri”, but a dedicated listening wearable could attract far greater scrutiny.

The move would also represent an attempt to revive Apple’s faltering AI ambitions. The company has repeatedly delayed a major upgrade to Siri intended to rival conversational chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini. Apple recently struck a deal with Google to integrate Gemini into Siri, and is expected to overhaul the voice assistant later this year so it can handle more fluid, chatbot-style conversations, according to Bloomberg.

Apple is not alone in exploring AI-first hardware. A growing number of technology companies are searching for a post-smartphone interface powered by artificial intelligence. Meta has embedded AI into its smart glasses, while Amazon has acquired Bee, a start-up behind a listening wristband designed to capture and summarise conversations.

Elsewhere, Sir Jony Ive has joined OpenAI to develop a new generation of AI-powered devices, which could be unveiled as soon as this year, putting additional pressure on Apple to respond.

Not all experiments in the category have succeeded. Last year, Humane, a company founded by former Apple employees, halted production of its own AI pin after weak sales and heavy criticism. The $700 (£521) device was widely panned for poor performance, and the start-up behind it was later sold.

Apple declined to comment on its plans. However, the reported work underscores how intensely Big Tech is competing to define the next major consumer device — and how artificial intelligence, rather than touchscreens, may sit at the centre of that future.

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Apple explores wearable ‘AI pin’ that could listen to conversations