If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the world through the lens of artificial intelligence, you might be interested in AI eyeglasses. Alibaba recently launched Quark AI Glasses in China. These smart glasses let users access the Qwen AI app with a simple touch. They can search online, compile meeting notes, manage schedules, and even make payments. A unique feature allows users to take a photo of a product and instantly check its price on Alibaba’s Taobao platform. The starting price is around 3,799 yuan, which is roughly $537.
Smart glasses have had a rocky past. Remember Google Glass? Launched over a decade ago, it promised a range of features but failed to gain traction due to its hefty price tag of $1,500. Google eventually repositioned the product for businesses before discontinuing it in 2023.
Despite past struggles, the concept of wearing technology hasn’t faded. Companies like Amazon, Meta, and Xiaomi are diving back in, aiming to make smart glasses appealing through AI capabilities. Meta, for example, has partnered with Oakley to introduce glasses that allow users to make calls, send texts, listen to music, and even translate languages. These glasses target athletes and start at $399.
Interestingly, these devices are finding uses beyond tech enthusiasts. Some visually impaired individuals are using Meta’s glasses to receive real-time assistance with daily tasks, such as shopping or going through mail.
The market for smart glasses appears promising. According to IDC, global sales are set to grow from 9.4 million units this year to nearly 20 million by 2029. A report by Forrester shows that around 17% of online adults in the U.S. have tried smart glasses, a significant jump from just 4% in 2024.
However, privacy is a big concern. Security experts caution that these glasses can collect and store personal data, and their ability to record video raises serious issues about consent. Legal experts highlight the need for regulations to address these risks.
As technology evolves, it will be interesting to see how AI glasses navigate these challenges and what role they’ll play in our lives. They could shape new ways we interact, learn, and experience the world around us.
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Technology, Artificial Intelligence
