Lorde Slams AI Glasses: 'Don't Buy Them, They're Gross'

A Candid Statement From the Stage

During her live performance at the "Real Cool" festival in Madrid, New Zealand singer Lorde stepped away from her setlist to deliver a blunt and pointed opinion on smart AI glasses. After thanking her audience for taking part in what she called a "real experience," she pivoted to the blurring line between reality and modern technology, declaring in her characteristically candid style: "Don't buy those glasses — they're not a good look."

Lorde didn't name any specific brand, yet the timing was far from coincidental. Ray-Ban was one of the festival's main sponsors and is Meta's most prominent partner in developing the smart AI glasses that have sparked widespread controversy in both tech and broader social circles.

An Intriguing Backdrop: Lorde and Jennie on the Same Stage

What gave the moment an added dramatic dimension was what happened immediately after Lorde's set ended: Jennie, a member of the Korean group Blackpink, took the stage. Jennie is one of the most prominent ambassadors for Ray-Ban Meta, having appeared in multiple advertising campaigns on Instagram, as well as in promotional clips aired between sets at the very same festival. This back-to-back appearance by the two artists turned the stage into a symbolic arena for the tension between rejecting and embracing the technology.

Why Are AI Glasses So Controversial?

Lorde's remarks didn't come out of nowhere — they arrived amid a growing wave of criticism directed at Meta's smart glasses, centered primarily on several key concerns:

• Privacy violations: The glasses feature built-in cameras capable of recording without those nearby realizing they are being filmed.
• Continuous recording: Reports indicate that Meta plans to launch a new version called "Super Sensing," designed to capture visual footage on a near-continuous basis.
• Difficulty of identification: The product looks like an ordinary pair of sunglasses from the outside, making it extremely difficult to identify wearers in public spaces.
• Lack of transparency: There is no clear mechanism to alert others that the glasses' camera is active or recording.

Technology vs. Society

This incident reflects a genuine and growing tension between Big Tech's push to embed artificial intelligence into inconspicuous everyday devices, and the widespread public concern over the right to privacy and the sense of safety in shared spaces. This conversation is no longer limited to activists and specialists — artists and influencers are increasingly becoming part of this broader societal dialogue.

Meanwhile, companies like Meta continue to forge ahead with developing these products, backing them with massive marketing campaigns featuring globally influential figures, clearly betting that popular adoption will ultimately outweigh current reservations.

Can Artistic Voices Shift the Equation?

Lorde's words may not halt the march of AI glasses, but they add a prominent voice to a critically important conversation about the boundaries of technology in our daily lives. When a music stage becomes a platform for debating tech ethics, it's a clear signal that this issue is no longer confined to labs and tech conferences — it has become a matter of public concern that affects everyone.

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