In 2025, the wearable technology landscape appears to be undergoing a significant transformation. Traditionally, wearables have been closely associated with health and fitness, but there is a growing trend among tech companies to redefine wearables as platforms for artificial intelligence (AI). During the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses gained unexpected popularity, prompting a shift in terminology. Many firms now prefer the term “AI glasses,” suggesting a broader application beyond just being smart glasses.
Meta has been at the forefront of this rebranding effort, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg advocating for glasses as the ideal format for AI interaction. These AI glasses can provide users with discreet audio experiences, photography capabilities, and real-time AI inquiries about their surroundings. Other companies, like Google, also distinguish between AI glasses, extended reality (XR) headsets, and devices that bridge the two. Google emphasizes that AI glasses are lightweight and stylish, with interaction with AI being a significant feature.
In addition to glasses, a variety of new wearable devices are emerging, such as always-listening pendants and pins. Products like Bee AI, acquired by Amazon, and Friend, an AI necklace, are intended to accompany users throughout the day, providing functionalities such as meeting summaries and task lists. Some of these devices, like an AI smart ring, enable users to record voice notes easily.
Sandeep Waraich, Google’s product lead for Pixel Wearables, noted that wearables are unique in their consistent on-body presence. This continuous interaction with the user creates a conducive environment for AI to develop a comprehensive understanding of the individual. The prevalent narrative indicates a sustained inclination towards making wearables synonymous with AI technology, raising questions about the future trajectory and implications of this trend.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/838876/2025-ai-wearables-smart-glasses-pendants-fitness