Lorde says AI glasses are ‘not sexy’

Celebrity Pushback Meets Market Reality

In a direct challenge to the burgeoning AI glasses market, pop star Lorde publicly condemned the technology during a performance at the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid. Her remarks, which labeled the devices as “not sexy” and a perversion of reality, stand in stark contrast to the endorsement-driven marketing from figures like Kylie Jenner. The comments gained additional weight given the context: the festival was sponsored by Ray-Ban, the brand that partners with Meta on its smart glasses, and Lorde performed immediately before another Ray-Ban ambassador.

Privacy Risks vs. Commercial Success

Lorde’s criticism echoes wider concerns from security experts who point to the potential for harassment and extortion using camera-equipped wearables. Meta has stated it incorporates privacy safeguards, such as a visible recording light, but the company is concurrently facing multiple investigations and lawsuits over alleged privacy violations. One notable lawsuit alleges that contractors were exposed to graphic videos captured by the glasses to train the company's AI. Despite this scrutiny, the product is a commercial success. EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban, reported selling over 7 million units in 2025, a substantial increase from the 2 million units sold in 2023 and 2024 combined, prompting Meta to expand the product line.

Key Points on the AI Glasses Debate

• Public Criticism: High-profile figures like Lorde are using their platforms to question the social and ethical implications of wearable AI.
• Persistent Privacy Issues: The devices are linked to concerns about covert recording and data collection, leading to legal challenges for Meta.
• Strong Market Adoption: Sales figures show significant consumer uptake, indicating that privacy concerns are not a major deterrent for a large segment of early adopters.
• Cultural Acceptance: Lorde's focus on aesthetics (“not sexy”) introduces vanity and social coolness as critical factors for the technology's long-term mainstream viability.

The Broader Ecosystem Impact

The conflict between vocal criticism and strong sales figures illustrates a critical tension in the consumer AI hardware market. While technical specifications and privacy policies are debated among experts, mainstream adoption may ultimately hinge on cultural acceptance and aesthetics. Lorde’s commentary suggests that for wearable technology to become truly ubiquitous, it must be perceived as not only useful but also socially appropriate and desirable. This presents a complex challenge for companies like Meta, which must balance powerful AI capabilities with designs that don't alienate the public or create social friction.

Lorde's critique highlights a growing cultural resistance to ambient computing devices, suggesting that social acceptance and aesthetics may become more significant barriers to mass adoption than technical limitations or even documented privacy risks. While Meta’s sales numbers are strong, the brand must navigate the 'coolness factor' to avoid the fate of previous wearable tech like Google Glass.