In a surprising development, OpenAI is reportedly considering the production of ChatGPT glasses, despite CEO Sam Altman's earlier public dismissal of the concept. This shift comes after Altman's comments made during the Sun Valley Conference in July, where he was spotted wearing a pair of white sunglasses with unusually thick temples. When questioned by the press about whether he was wearing smart glasses, Altman emphatically responded, "No, absolutely not, I don't like smart glasses."
This statement followed closely on the heels of OpenAI's announcement regarding its entry into the hardware market. In a strategic move, the company acquired the hardware startup of veteran Apple designer Jony Ive and established a partnership with his design studio, LoveFrom. Although OpenAI has not publicly disclosed specifics about its first device, reports from The Wall Street Journal indicated that Altman had communicated to OpenAI staff that the initial product would be a screenless pocket-sized device, explicitly stating that it would not take the form of glasses or any other wearable technology.
However, recent reports from The Information suggest that OpenAI is expanding its horizons by recruiting design, manufacturing, and supply chain personnel from Apple. This strategic hiring aims to develop a comprehensive range of devices. Alongside the anticipated pocket-sized device, OpenAI is also rumored to be working on a smart speaker, a digital voice recorder, and potentially a wearable pin. While the timeline for the release of these devices is projected to be in late 2026 or 2027, any plans for smart glasses would likely not materialize for several years.
During a recent talk at Connect 2025, Meta's Michael Abrash highlighted the potential of future smart glasses equipped with always-on sensing technology. This innovation promises to deliver spatial contextual AI, offering users proactive advice and tailored inquiries about their daily lives. If the trend toward adopting smart glasses continues at its current pace, they could emerge as a primary form factor for AI technologies by the time OpenAI is ready to launch its devices. This scenario could grant significant advantages to tech giants like Meta, Google, and Apple, leaving OpenAI at a disadvantage.
As OpenAI navigates this evolving landscape, one can't help but wonder if Altman's initial dismissal of smart glasses may ultimately prove to be a strategic misstep. The rapidly changing dynamics of technology and consumer preferences might necessitate a reevaluation of this stance as the company seeks to carve out its niche in the competitive AI hardware market.
