Mark Zuckerberg says a future without smart glasses is ‘hard to imagine’

During Meta's Q4 2025 earnings call, Mark Zuckerberg shared his vision for the burgeoning sector of AI smart glasses, emphasizing a significant shift in the company's focus from the metaverse to wearable technology. He believes we are witnessing a pivotal moment analogous to the early days of smartphones, suggesting that it is only a matter of time before AI integration becomes standard in eyewear. "Billions of people wear glasses or contacts for vision correction," Zuckerberg stated. "It’s hard to imagine a world in several years where most glasses that people wear aren’t AI glasses." He noted a remarkable surge in Meta’s smart glasses sales, which have tripled in the past year, dubbing them among the fastest-growing consumer electronics ever. However, it is wise to approach Zuckerberg's predictions with caution. His earlier forecasts about the metaverse—where virtual interactions were envisioned as commonplace—have not materialized as expected. Nevertheless, the industry’s leading players are heavily investing in AI glasses, indicating a significant future for this technology. Google is set to launch a new line of smart glasses this year, following a substantial partnership with Warby Parker. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly shifting resources to develop its own smart glasses, with an expected release within the next couple of years. In a similar vein, Snap has announced plans to separate its AR glasses division into a standalone entity to enhance focus and operational alignment. Even OpenAI, while primarily a software entity, is exploring the realm of wearables, albeit leaning towards devices like AI pins or earbuds rather than traditional glasses. Meanwhile, rumors swirl around Apple's development of a compact AI device akin to an AirTag, raising hopes for innovative outcomes. At present, Meta remains at the forefront of the smart glasses market, offering various models, including Oakley smart glasses specifically designed for active use—an application that has shown considerable potential. As the landscape of wearable technology evolves, the integration of AI into everyday items like glasses seems increasingly inevitable.