Meta Platforms Inc. initiated its annual Connect 2025 conference on Wednesday evening, with key announcements anticipated regarding advanced AI-powered smart glasses and updates on the company's broader artificial intelligence strategy. The event, featuring a keynote by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is expected to underscore Meta's intensified focus on artificial intelligence development and its integration into hardware.
A primary focus of the conference is projected to be the unveiling of new AI-powered smart glasses, developed in collaboration with brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley. Among the anticipated devices are the “Hypernova” smart glasses, which a now-removed video on Meta’s YouTube channel suggested would feature a heads-up display (HUD) on the right lens, integrated cameras, microphones, and an onboard AI assistant. These glasses are reportedly controlled by a wristband, previously unveiled at last year's Connect, designed to facilitate interaction through subtle hand gestures. CNBC had previously reported Meta’s plans to unveil Hypernova and launch the wristband at this conference.
Furthermore, Meta is expected to introduce new AI-powered smart glasses in collaboration with Oakley, specifically in the Spheara style. This model, characterized by a large unified lens and a single centered camera above the nose bridge, is designed with athletes in mind, differentiating from previous Meta smart glasses that featured two cameras on the frame's top corners. The company has previously reported selling millions of its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
The Connect 2025 conference marks the first since Meta established its Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) initiative, a division focused on developing advanced AI systems under former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang. Updates on MSL's progress are anticipated during the event. Discussions on the "future of glasses with contextual AI" and Meta's role in transforming "the future of computing" are slated to occur, featuring Reality Labs Chief Scientist Michael Abrash and VP of Reality Labs Research Richard Newcombe. This contextual AI integration in wearables holds implications for applications requiring hands-free operation and real-time data overlay in diverse operational environments.
While Meta’s standalone AI application, which manages smart glasses functionalities and operates as a chatbot, may also receive updates, the conference is expected to place less emphasis on new Quest virtual reality headsets this year. Zuckerberg is scheduled to address the Metaverse during the event, despite a reported focus shift towards an ultralight VR headset projected for a 2026 launch. The company has hired researchers from various industry sectors and invested in Scale AI, aligning with its comprehensive AI development strategy.
