Google to Unveil AI Glasses at Upcoming I/O Developer Conference

• The conference will take place at Google's Mountain View, California headquarters and will be available to stream online
• Google is expected to launch its first smart glasses in 2026, following its 2025 announcement of a smart glasses partnership with Warby Parker
• Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses have driven market momentum with sales more than tripling in 2025, exceeding 7 million units sold

Summary

Key Announcement: Alphabet's Google will host its annual I/O developer conference on May 19-20 at its Mountain View, California headquarters, with streaming available online.

Main Focus: The company is expected to unveil significant AI developments, including:

• Updates to AI models and products
• Potential reveal of its smart glasses prototype
• First commercial smart glasses launch scheduled for 2026

Market Context: Smart glasses have experienced surging demand, driven by Meta's Ray-Ban partnership success. EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban's parent company, reported that Meta AI glasses sales more than tripled in 2025, exceeding 7 million units sold.

Company Partnerships: Google previously announced a smart glasses collaboration with Warby Parker at the 2025 I/O conference, positioning itself to compete in the rapidly growing wearable AI market.

Competitive Landscape: The announcement positions Google to challenge Meta's dominance in the AI-enabled smart glasses segment. The timing suggests Google is accelerating its hardware ambitions to capitalize on strong consumer interest in AI-integrated wearables.

Market Implications:

• Increased competition in the smart glasses market could drive innovation and consumer adoption
• Google's entry validates the market opportunity Meta has cultivated
• Potential revenue diversification for Alphabet beyond its core advertising business
• Strategic partnerships with eyewear retailers (Warby Parker) mirror Meta's successful Ray-Ban collaboration model

The conference will provide investors with crucial insights into Google's AI product roadmap and its strategy to compete in emerging hardware categories where rivals have gained early traction.