Zuckerberg's Meta Introduces AI Glasses Without Cameras, Addresses Privacy Worries

Tech giant Meta has rolled out a fresh collection of wearable devices, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg announcing the new range of smart glasses at the company's annual Connect conference held at its Menlo Park headquarters. During the event, Zuckerberg also highlighted Muse, Meta's innovative personal artificial intelligence assistant.

Addressing the gathering of developers and executives, Zuckerberg remarked, "Currently, nearly 2 billion individuals globally wear glasses… and we anticipate that in the coming years, a majority of these will transition to AI glasses." He further stated that Muse is set to become "the core of our vision."

These audio-only glasses are slated for release on October 13, with a starting price of $349. Their introduction comes at a time of increasing global scrutiny regarding privacy breaches associated with miniature cameras on glasses and other wearables, which critics have often labeled as 'pervert' glasses. Smart glasses generally enable users to capture photos, record videos, stream music, make calls, translate text, or engage with an AI assistant. The new audio-only models will be available alongside numerous other smart glasses that retain the photo and video recording capabilities.

Vishal Shah, Meta's Vice President of AI Product, emphasized the importance of integrating privacy features, such as a recording indicator light, in a statement to AFP on Wednesday. "We wanted users to clearly understand when recording was active, and we have consistently enhanced the visibility of that light over time," Shah explained. He added, "We communicated extensively about this when the glasses first launched, and I believe we probably need to reiterate that more frequently than we have been recently, as nothing has changed."

With almost four billion monthly active users across its various platforms, Meta is banking on wearables like smart glasses to serve as an accessible entry point for individuals to engage with its AI software. The company first ventured into smart glasses in 2021 and subsequently unveiled 'display' glasses that project images onto the lens last year. Earlier in the current year, Meta launched its own branded AI glasses, separate from its collaboration with eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica, which produces several Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta models. Additionally, Meta revealed new designs for its flagship Meta Ray-Ban glasses.

These display versions, starting at $799, will soon be available in new international markets including the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Canada. The company is also preparing to launch mixed reality glasses, significantly lighter than its earlier Quest VR headsets, named Meta VR Glasses. Zuckerberg noted that these glasses weigh approximately the same as a deck of cards, operate without external controls, and rely solely on hand gestures and voice commands. The Meta VR Glasses are expected to launch in spring 2027, priced at $1,299.

Meta has invested billions into maintaining its competitive edge in AI but is encountering resistance on multiple fronts. The new glasses are engineered to function with Muse, the company's inaugural agentic application for consumers. Muse is designed to perform tasks on behalf of users, much like a digital personal assistant. After linking personal accounts for finance, health, and shopping, users can instruct Muse to register for services, schedule appointments, and make calls. The Muse app quickly ascended to become the top free app on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, surpassing competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Google’s Gemini.

Zuckerberg also teased another product on Wednesday: the Muse Charm, a small, puck-like device with a display that will enable users to interact with their Muse agent independently of a smartphone. This device is set to ship before the holidays this year, though Meta did not disclose its price. While Amazon recently blocked Meta from utilizing AI bots for automatic shopping, companies like Instacart, Shopify, and Expedia have announced collaborations to integrate their services into Muse. Walmart, Best Buy, Gap, and Sephora are also reportedly partnering with the app.

Meta, which generates the majority of its revenue from advertisements on Instagram and Facebook, is grappling with increasing challenges globally concerning child safety and user privacy. In August, the company reached a settlement in a lawsuit initiated by US states, which accused it of violating consumer protection and children's online privacy laws. The settlement mandates Meta to pay up to $18 billion and impose restrictions for teenage users. Furthermore, Meta faces age-based restrictions and bans in various countries abroad, along with thousands of potential personal injury lawsuits in the United States.