At its annual Meta Connect developer conference, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced a new lineup of AI-powered smart glasses, doubling down on wearable tech as a key part of the company’s future.
Smart Glasses with Built-In AI
In partnership with Ray-Ban and Oakley, Meta launched several smart glasses models featuring Meta AI integration. The standout device, the Meta Ray-Ban Display, includes a full-colour high-resolution screen in one lens, allowing users to make video calls and view messages. It also features a 12-megapixel camera for hands-free photography.
Despite a few hiccups during the live demo—such as a failed WhatsApp call—Zuckerberg touted the technology as a “huge scientific breakthrough,” emphasising its potential to embed AI into daily life.
“I don’t know what to tell you guys… I keep on messing this up,” he joked after repeated call attempts failed.
Gesture-Controlled Wristband & New Models
Meta also unveiled a neural wristband that pairs with the smart glasses. This wristband enables users to perform tasks like sending messages using small hand gestures, a step toward intuitive, screen-free interaction.
Other product announcements included:
- Oakley Meta Vanguard Smart Glasses – Priced at $499, aimed at sports and outdoor users.
- Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 2) – A sleeker, updated model starting at $379.
The Ray-Ban Display, Meta’s most advanced model to date, will launch later this month at $799, significantly more expensive than previous versions.
Will AI Glasses Catch On?
Analysts are cautiously optimistic. Unlike the bulky VR headsets tied to Meta’s costly Metaverse ambitions, smart glasses are more practical and familiar.
“Unlike VR headsets, glasses are an everyday, non-cumbersome form factor,” said Mike Proulx, VP at Forrester.
“But Meta must prove to mainstream users that the benefits outweigh the cost.”
Meta has reportedly sold around 2 million pairs of smart glasses since entering the market in 2023, with success tied mainly to affordability and ease of use.
“Ray-Bans worked because they were simple, discreet, and relatively cheap,” said Leo Gebbie of CCS Insight, expressing doubts about mass adoption of the high-end Display model.
Heavy Investments in AI
The product launch comes amid Meta’s aggressive investment in artificial intelligence. Zuckerberg recently announced plans to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI infrastructure, including massive data centres—one reportedly as large as Manhattan.
Meta is also poaching top AI talent from competitors as it races to develop “superintelligence”—a form of AI that surpasses human capability.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Public Backlash
While Meta pursues its AI and hardware ambitions, the company is facing growing criticism over the safety of its platforms, particularly for children.
On the same day as Meta Connect, protesters gathered outside Meta’s New York office, including parents of suicide victims, demanding stronger safeguards for young users on Facebook, Instagram, and VR platforms.
The protests followed U.S. Senate testimony from two former Meta researchers, who accused the company of suppressing research into potential harm caused by its virtual reality products.
Meta has denied the allegations, dismissing them as “nonsense.”
Final Thoughts
Meta is betting big on a future where AI-enhanced wearables play a central role in how people connect and interact with technology. However, as the company expands its product ecosystem, it will also need to address concerns about trust, safety, and accessibility to win over the public.
