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Meta Unveils AI Ambitions Amid Smart Glasses Privacy Pushback
Meta is holding a conference to show products that use artificial intelligence.
Mark Zuckerberg will speak at the event.
One new product, called Muse, is designed to help people complete tasks online.
It may book appointments, sign up for services and make calls.
Amazon stopped Meta’s AI bots from shopping automatically, but other companies are working with Muse.
Meta is also developing smarter glasses that can record sound, show images or use AI.
Some people worry that these glasses could invade privacy.
Meta says a recording light will be visible and that tampering with it will turn off the camera.
The company is also facing complaints about children’s safety and online privacy.
Meta will begin its annual Connect conference Wednesday from its headquarters in Menlo Park, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg delivering the keynote.
The company recently launched Muse, an AI agent that can perform tasks such as booking appointments, signing up for services and making calls.
Amazon blocked Meta’s AI bots from shopping automatically, while Instacart, Shopify and Expedia partnered with Muse.
Meta is expected to highlight new AI and smart-glasses products, including reportedly planned audio-only and mixed-reality glasses.
Privacy and child-safety concerns continue to challenge Meta, including criticism of its camera-equipped glasses and a settlement that could involve up to $18 billion in fines.
- Who
- Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg are leading the product announcements; Amazon, Instacart, Shopify and Expedia are also involved in the article’s discussion of AI shopping and services.
- What
- Meta is preparing to present AI products and smart glasses while facing privacy, child-safety and business pushback.
- Where
- The conference will begin at Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park.
- When
- The annual Connect conference begins Wednesday at 4:00 pm Pacific Time, or 2300 GMT.
- Why
- Meta is investing heavily in AI to remain competitive, while responding to concerns about privacy, children’s safety and automated shopping.
Privacy and Safety Critics
AI and Product Development Advocates
Camera-equipped glasses
Privacy and Safety Critics
Critics have raised privacy concerns about Meta’s interactive and AI glasses, with some calling them “pervert glasses.”
AI and Product Development Advocates
Meta says a recording indicator light will always be visible and that tampering with it will disable the camera.
AI shopping agents
Privacy and Safety Critics
Amazon blocked Meta’s AI bots from shopping automatically for users, reflecting concerns about automated access to commercial services.
AI and Product Development Advocates
Instacart, Shopify and Expedia have announced partnerships to integrate their services into Muse.
Teen and child safety
Privacy and Safety Critics
Meta faces restrictions and bans affecting younger users, as well as thousands of potential personal-injury lawsuits in the United States.
AI and Product Development Advocates
Under its settlement with US attorneys general, Meta agreed to enact restrictions for teenagers.
Key facts
- Event
- Meta’s annual Connect conference
- Location
- Meta headquarters, Menlo Park
- Start time
- Wednesday at 4:00 pm PT, or 2300 GMT
- AI product
- Muse, an agentic app designed to perform tasks for users
- Shopping dispute
- Amazon blocked Meta’s AI bots from automatically shopping for users
- Smart-glasses safeguard
- Meta says a recording indicator light will remain visible and disabling the camera will follow tampering
- Legal settlement
- Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion in fines and impose restrictions for teenagers in a settlement with US attorneys general
Sources
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