‘I find it very uncomfortable’: Sam Altman explains why he doesn’t like talking to people wearing camera-equipped smart glasses — and it could be a big clue about Jony Ive’s AI device

Sam Altman, the OpenAI CEO, has expressed discomfort with talking to people wearing camera-equipped smart glasses, suggesting that it could be an important factor in the development of Jony Ive's AI device. The technology industry appears to be moving towards smart glasses, with Meta's Ray-Ban glasses being a successful example.

However, Altman firmly believes that he does not like talking to people with a camera and a light, indicating that he does not wear smart glasses himself. This stance is surprising given the popularity of such technology. OpenAI is reportedly working with Ive on a family of AI devices, though the specifics remain unclear. Altman suggests that the devices could be audio-first wearables, providing persistent access to an AI assistant without placing a camera directly in the sightline of everyone the wearer encounters.

He believes that the camera placed between two people during conversation turns an ordinary discussion into one where the other person may feel uncomfortable, as they may wonder if they are also an unwilling piece of content. The design of smart glasses has made recording devices appear inconspicuous, leading to privacy concerns that have been addressed by regulators in Australia.

While there are exceptions, such as smart glasses benefiting blind and low-vision users, Altman argues that an outright rejection of camera glasses may be too simplistic. Instead, he suggests that camera glasses may be better suited to specific needs rather than becoming the default AI hardware.