Altman Criticizes Smart Glasses as Uncomfortable for Conversations

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has publicly stated his discomfort with smart glasses equipped with cameras, a position that offers a key insight into the company's own approach to developing AI hardware with legendary designer Jony Ive. In a recent interview, Altman said he finds it "very uncomfortable talking to people with a camera and a light," a sentiment he has expressed before and one that contrasts sharply with the current industry push toward AI-powered eyewear. Altman's comments, made in an interview with journalist Alex Heath for the Sources Podcast published on September 1, 2026, come at a time when major technology companies are aggressively expanding into the smart glasses market. Meta, in partnership with Ray-Ban, has seen significant commercial success, with its parent company reporting that its Reality Labs division, which includes consumer hardware, generated $431 million in revenue in the second quarter of 2026. The company has sold more than 7 million pairs of AI glasses through its partnership with EssilorLuxottica. However, the proliferation of these devices has sparked a notable public backlash.