During a performance at the Real Cool Festival in Madrid, singer-songwriter Lorde criticized AI smart glasses. She told the audience that the high-tech eyewear is "not sexy" and urged fans not to buy them.
Lorde spoke to the crowd about the difficulty of knowing what is real in the modern world. She pointed out that it is hard to tell if someone is simply wearing sunglasses or using smart glasses. Although she did not name any specific brands, Ray-Ban was a major sponsor of the festival. Ray-Ban has partnered with tech giant Meta to create Meta AI smart glasses.
Meta is currently facing criticism over the privacy implications of its smart glasses. Despite this, reports suggest that Meta plans to launch new "super sensing" glasses that will record video continuously.
Adding to the tension at the festival, Blackpink's Jennie performed right after Lorde. Jennie is a brand ambassador for Ray-Ban Meta AI and has appeared in many of their advertisements, which were shown between concert sets.