Aussies divided over Meta fashion sunglasses amid privacy concerns
We’re a nation of early adopters when it comes to embracing new technology – but a recent vox pop suggests the average Aussie has serious concerns about ‘spy AI’ features in this fashion accessory
READING LEVEL: ORANGE
The artificial intelligence* future is here – and the word on the street was that Australians were none too sure about one new high tech product being sold to consumers*.
The Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses first launched overseas in 2023 and became available in Australia in late 2024.
The smart glasses retail for around $450. They allow you to listen to music, film, make calls, and even interact with Meta AI — basically, they’re like wearing a Google Home on your face.
To use the glasses, all the wearer has to do is say: “Hey Meta” and say what they want it to do.
If you don’t mind walking around looking like you’re talking to yourself, this could be a nifty* piece of technology for you.
Hollywood stars Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt have even done ads to promote the high spec* tech sunnies.
A major celebrity endorsement* is often enough to win over the masses, but not this time. When news.com.au hit the streets of Sydney for a vox pop*, Aussies weren’t fussed by the eyewear.
In fact, they were straight-up unsettled and most didn’t want a bar of the tech-savvy glasses, not even with Chris Hemsworth’s stamp of approval.
When ordinary Australians were asked for their opinion on the street, they weren’t shy about sharing their doubts.
When asked what he thought of the product, one man didn’t hesitate: “I think it is creepy as hell,” he said.
“I wouldn’t buy them for myself and I’d prefer other people didn’t buy them,” he added.
One young woman thought the glasses were “cool” and “had their place” in 2025 but she also said: “They freak me out“.
Similarly, a young man stopped and said he found them a “pretty weird piece of technology”.
“I’ve seen people around in nightclubs, recording people when they’re dancing and stuff,” he said.
Another young person stopped and said she wasn’t sold on the technology either.
“I think it is creepy,” she said. “You could have been filming me this whole time and I just wouldn’t have known. I think that is kind of scary.”
One man put his detective skills to work and decided that the glasses weren’t that creepy because you could tell when someone was filming you.
“I know you’re filming because it is flashing,” he said. “As long as that flash is there and I’m aware you’re recording me, I don’t really mind.”
His point raised important questions about those who miss the telltale flash. They won’t know that they’re being recorded without their knowledge or consent, as a female passer-by pointed out.
“I think it breaks a lot of consent about what you can and can’t film,” she said. “Something about having sunglasses on and not always knowing if someone is filming is quite freaky.”
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GLOSSARY
- artificial intelligence: computer systems performing complex tasks normally done by human-reasoning, decision-making, creating and problem-solving
- consumers: everyone who buys goods and services and uses them
- nifty: useful, practical but also stylish and fashionable
- high spec: a product that is faster, more powerful, etc. than other similar products
- endorsement: act of approving or supporting someone or something
- vox pop: a broadcast for radio, television or online in which people in a public place are asked their opinion on a particular subject
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QUICK QUIZ
- Meta has partnered with which legendary eyewear brand to create the AI sunglasses?
- What is the telltale on the glasses that alerts someone if they’re being filmed?
- Which high profile Australian actor has helped promote the sunnies?
- How much do the Ray-Ban Meta glasses retail for?
- Are some of the things you can do while you’re wearing the smart glasses?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Improving the product
Consider how the Meta AI glasses could be improved so that they become more popular in Australia. Given that they have been described as “creepy” and “freaky,” what changes could address these concerns? Are there any other innovative functions that could be added that might appeal to potential customers?
Draw a labelled design or write a description to express your ideas.
Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Design and Technology
2. Extension
Smart phones, smart watches, smart fridges and now smart glasses … what will be next? Think of an item that should be made “smart” – it can be practical or completely wacky. Create a print advertisement to sell your smart product, convincing consumers why it is a must have item.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English
VCOP ACTIVITY
Read with Kung Fu punctuation
Pair up with the article between you and stand up to make it easy to demonstrate your Kung Fu punctuation.
Practise reading one sentence at a time. Now read it again, while acting out the punctuation as you read.
Read and act three sentences before swapping with your partner.
Take two turns each.
Now ask your partner to read a sentence out loud while you try and act out the punctuation. Can you keep up? Swap over?
Try acting out two sentences – are you laughing yet?
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