Lorde has delivered a blunt message to fans about AI-powered smart glasses, dismissing the technology as 'not sexy' while raising concerns about how difficult it is becoming to distinguish ordinary sunglasses from devices capable of recording people.
The singer made the remarks during her performance at Madrid's Mad Cool Festival on 9 July 2026, taking aim at the growing popularity of smart eyewear as celebrities increasingly help technology companies market the products.
Lorde speaks out against Meta Al Glasses: “Increasingly, in our world, it gets harder and harder to know what is real. You don’t know if someone is wearing sunglasses or if they’re wearing those fucked up fucking...Can I just say, for the record, Fuck the Glasses. Don’t get the glasses. Not sexy.”
by u/Impossible-Yam3680 in popculture
'Increasingly in our world, it gets harder and harder to know what is real,' Lorde told the audience.
"You don't know if someone is wearing sunglasses, or if they're wearing those fucked up fucking... Can I just say, for the record, 'Fuck the Glasses.' Don't get the glasses. Not sexy."
The comments quickly circulated online, drawing attention to the contrast between Lorde's criticism and the celebrity-led campaigns promoting Meta's AI glasses, including Kylie Jenner's recent collaboration with the company.
Kylie Jenner Puts Her Spin on AI Glasses
Lorde's comments come as Meta pushes to make smart eyewear a fashionable everyday accessory, with Jenner lending her name, personal style and voice to a glasses collection designed in collaboration with the company. Unveiled in June, the Meta Glasses by Kylie collection features slim, oval-shaped frames inspired by Jenner's aesthetic.
The glasses combine traditional eyewear with technology that allows users to take hands-free photos and videos, listen to music, make calls and interact with Meta AI. The collaboration represents Meta's effort to position wearable technology as a lifestyle product rather than simply another gadget.
Jenner's involvement brings the appeal of celebrity fashion to a product category increasingly competing for mainstream attention. However, the campaign has also attracted criticism, with opponents questioning whether making cameras less conspicuous could leave people feeling uncomfortable in public spaces.
BLACKPINK's Jennie has also been named a global ambassador for Ray-Ban and Ray-Ban Meta, while Lisa collaborated with Meta on a limited-edition smart glasses collection featuring charms inspired by her pets. Their partnerships show how celebrity influence and personal style are helping Meta position AI-powered eyewear as a fashion accessory, blending wearable technology with the appeal of exclusive, celebrity-backed designs.
Why AI Glasses Are Raising Privacy Concerns
At the heart of Lorde's criticism is a straightforward concern that people may struggle to know when someone nearby is recording them. Unlike conventional sunglasses, AI-enabled smart glasses can contain cameras, microphones and built-in digital assistants. Depending on the model, wearers can capture footage from their own perspective without holding a phone, making the devices convenient for documenting everyday moments.
This really pretty nerdy girl slid on me at Barnes & noble complimented me said i smelled good hugged me had me do a 360 then took my number down I felt really good till I noticed she was recording with her meta glasses
— baby 17teen (@Babymoon_5) October 21, 2026
That convenience, however, raises questions about consent and privacy, particularly when recording takes place in social settings where people might not expect to be filmed. Reuters has previously reported that smart glasses have attracted scrutiny over how bystanders are informed about recordings and how captured data may be handled.
Man filming women with Meta glasses while flirting gets confronted https://t.co/Zwya33xoar
— Clip Master (@Clip_Master__) October 26, 2026
Meta says its glasses use a flashing white light to indicate recording, with safeguards continually improving to prevent users from bypassing the indicator by covering or tampering with it. However, privacy concerns remain over whether these measures adequately protect bystanders.
Lorde's Message Challenges the Celebrity Trend
Lorde's intervention offers a pointed contrast to the glamorous image presented by celebrity-led technology campaigns. While Jenner's collaboration emphasises personal style and convenience, the singer has focused on what the devices could mean for everyday interactions.
Her criticism also fits a broader public conversation about technology's growing presence in ordinary life. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into consumer products, questions about authenticity, privacy and the boundaries between online and offline experiences have become harder to ignore.
'Don't get the glasses. Not sexy,' she told the crowd, making her position on AI-powered eyewear unmistakable. For the singer, the real appeal lies elsewhere: 'The here and now,' she added, 'now that is sexy.'
Whether Lorde's remarks influence potential buyers remains to be seen. But as Meta continues to promote smart eyewear through celebrity partnerships, Lorde has offered a memorable counterpoint: a fashionable accessory may look appealing, but that does not automatically make everyone around its wearer comfortable.
