Alibaba prices AI glasses at $660 to rival Meta and launches ChatGPT challenger

On Thursday, Alibaba revealed the pricing for its innovative artificial intelligence glasses while also launching a new chatbot that leverages its cutting-edge AI technology. The Quark AI Glasses will be available for pre-sale on Alibaba's Tmall platform starting October 24. The initial price is set at 4,699 Chinese yuan (approximately $660), but with various discounts, customers can acquire them for as low as 3,999 yuan. Shipping is expected to commence in December. This announcement is part of Alibaba's broader strategy to enhance its AI offerings this year, which includes the introduction of updated models aimed at revitalizing its cloud computing sales. The company is keenly focusing on consumer-oriented AI applications, as seen with the launch of the AI Chat Assistant, a new feature within the Quark app. The Quark AI Glasses, first introduced in July, represent a significant leap for Alibaba in the consumer technology sector. They are powered by the company's Qwen large language model and Quark AI assistant, offering features such as hands-free calling, music streaming, and real-time language translation. This product positions Alibaba as a competitor to Meta's smart glasses, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, as well as Xiaomi, which recently launched its own AI glasses. Alibaba’s new AI Chat Assistant is designed to enhance user interaction by allowing conversations through text or voice. The chatbot utilizes the latest Qwen3 model, offering a seamless interface for both AI search and conversation. Users can expect functionalities like photo editing, problem-solving based on images, and AI-generated writing. This new feature positions Alibaba competitively against other chatbot offerings, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and DeepSeek, reflecting the company's commitment to advancing AI technology for everyday consumers.