Zuckerberg bets on everyday eyewear with built-in display to integrate AI into daily life

Meta has launched its first smart glasses with a built-in display, aiming to make eyewear the gateway to artificial intelligence and a step toward what CEO Mark Zuckerberg calls “superintelligence.”

Meta’s Vision for Everyday AI

At its annual Meta Connect conference in Menlo Park, California, Meta unveiled the Ray-Ban Display, a pair of AI-powered smart glasses featuring a built-in high-resolution lens display. Starting at US$799, the glasses will be available on September 30, representing Meta’s push to make wearable AI a mainstream accessory.

Zuckerberg described glasses as the “ideal form factor for personal superintelligence,” allowing users to remain present while accessing AI capabilities that enhance memory, communication, and awareness.

Features and Pricing

The Ray-Ban Display integrates a digital screen in the right lens, enabling notifications, video calls, and messaging. Equipped with a 12-megapixel camera, the glasses expand on Meta’s earlier models that have already sold about two million units since 2023.

Alongside the Display, Meta introduced additional eyewear, including:

• Oakley Meta Vanguard: Sports-focused glasses priced at US$499.
• Second-generation Ray-Ban Meta: Updated model priced at US$379.
• A neural wristband was also revealed, enabling users to control glasses functions with subtle hand gestures.

A Stumble on Stage

Not all went smoothly during Zuckerberg’s demo. A WhatsApp call to the glasses failed despite repeated attempts, drawing laughter from the audience. “I don’t know what to tell you guys. I keep on messing this up,” Zuckerberg admitted.

Still, analysts believe smart glasses may succeed where Meta’s Metaverse project stumbled, thanks to their everyday usability.

Expert Reactions and Skepticism

Industry analysts remain divided. Forrester’s Mike Proulx noted that glasses are a “non-cumbersome form factor,” making them more accessible than VR headsets. However, CCS Insight’s Leo Gebbie expressed doubts about adoption at the US$799 price point, calling the Ray-Ban line successful primarily due to affordability and discretion.

Meta’s Expensive AI Bet

The smart glasses launch is part of Meta’s larger AI strategy. The company is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in massive data centers and recruiting top AI talent, with the goal of building technology that surpasses human intelligence.

Controversies Overshadow Launch

The unveiling came as Meta faced protests at its New York headquarters, where activists demanded stronger safeguards for children on social platforms. The company is also under scrutiny following Senate testimony by former researchers who accused Meta of covering up potential harms to minors linked to its VR products—claims the company has dismissed as “nonsense.”

Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses mark a bold step toward blending AI into everyday life, embodying Zuckerberg’s vision of “superintelligence.” Yet success hinges on convincing consumers that the benefits outweigh the high cost, all while the company navigates mounting criticism over safety and accountability.

Sources: South China Morning Post (2025) , BBC (2025)

Keywords: Meta Ray-Ban Display, Meta Smart Glasses, AI Glasses Launch, Zuckerberg Superintelligence, Meta Connect Event