Lorde says Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses are ‘not sexy’

During a performance at Madrid's Real Cool Festival, musician Lorde publicly criticized AI-powered smart glasses, signaling growing cultural resistance to wearable surveillance technology. The comment, made during her live set, reflects broader concerns about privacy and the aesthetics of technology integration in everyday life. While Lorde didn't name specific brands, her criticism appears directed at Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which the festival featured as a sponsor.

Lorde took time during her Real Cool Festival set in Madrid on Thursday to address the proliferation of AI glasses among festival attendees. Her dismissal of the technology as "not sexy" resonated with audience concerns about constant data collection and the erosion of privacy at live events. The Ray-Ban Meta collaboration, a partnership between Facebook's parent company Meta and the iconic eyewear brand, has become increasingly visible at public gatherings and cultural events.

The timing of Lorde's critique coincides with broader conversations about surveillance capitalism and the normalization of always-on recording devices. Festival sponsors often integrate products into events, but Lorde's public pushback suggests artists and performers are increasingly willing to challenge such integrations when they conflict with audience experience and privacy expectations.

• Consumer skepticism toward wearable AI devices may impact adoption rates and marketing strategies
• Artists and cultural figures are becoming vocal advocates against surveillance technology at live events
• Festivals and venues may face pressure to establish clear policies on recording devices
• Privacy concerns continue to outweigh technological convenience in public perception
• Brands sponsoring events risk backlash when products clash with cultural values

Lorde's public criticism represents a significant moment in the cultural conversation around AI technology adoption. As smart glasses become more prevalent, artists and performers hold considerable influence over public perception. Her dismissal challenges the tech industry's assumption that consumers automatically embrace new innovations, suggesting that companies like Meta and Ray-Ban must address aesthetic and ethical concerns to gain broader acceptance. This cultural resistance may ultimately shape how—and whether—wearable AI technology integrates into everyday social spaces.