“This Could Help”... Altman Hands Samsung Executives a 300,000-Won Keyboard

A small keyboard that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman gave to Samsung Group executives during his visit to South Korea is drawing attention. The device allows users to issue commands directly to artificial intelligence (AI) and check its work in progress, and is seen as a glimpse of how computer use may change in the AI era.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, presents a Codex Micro Keyboard to Song Yongho, head of the AI Center at Samsung Electronics' DS (Device Solutions) Division, during a visit to the Samsung Human Resources Development Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 31, 2026. Yonhap News and OpenAI

According to industry sources on Oct. 31, Altman met with more than 50 executives from key Samsung affiliates at the Samsung Human Resources Development Institute in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, that day and gave them "Codex Micro" keyboards.

"The idea was that in a world where you can tell a computer what to do by speaking and use AI, you might not need a full keyboard," Altman said. "I think it actually helps you use Codex faster."

Codex Micro is a compact input device co-designed by OpenAI and keyboard specialist Work Louder. Rather than being used to type text like a standard keyboard, it is designed for giving tasks to OpenAI's coding agent Codex and reviewing and adjusting the results. Its official retail price is $230 (about 307,000 won).

The device has 13 mechanical keys, a rotary dial, a joystick, and a touch sensor. Users can assign frequently used commands to specific keys and accept or reject code changes suggested by AI. Pressing a button can also start a voice command or conversation.

The device also uses lights to indicate the status of AI's work. The lights on the keys show whether AI is analyzing a command, carrying out a task, waiting for the user's response, or has completed the task.

The joystick can be used to review AI-generated code or fix errors. Turning the rotary dial adjusts AI's reasoning level, allowing users to set it to handle simple tasks quickly and perform more reasoning for complex tasks. The device supports Bluetooth and USB-C connections and is compatible with macOS and Windows.

At a meeting that day titled "The Next 10 Years AI Will Change: Choices for Businesses," Altman also stressed the importance of the ability to use AI. "Simply adopting AI is not enough to secure a sustainable competitive advantage," he said. "A competitive advantage depends on how you use AI to move faster, make better products, and get ahead of your competitors."

Altman arrived in South Korea on the afternoon of Oct. 30 and is reportedly set to leave for another country on the afternoon of Oct. 31, after a two-day, one-night visit.

The "Codex Micro Keyboard" gifted by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Song Yongho, head of the AI Center at Samsung Electronics' DS (Semiconductor) Division. Yonhap News Agency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.