Wednesday, 7 May 2025
Smart Glasses: Is AI a Game Changer? Jérôme Malzac Guest on B Smart
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Jérôme Malzac (Innovation Director and Generative AI Expert at Micropole), Laurent Daudet (Deputy CEO at LightOn), and Delphine Sabattier (Host of SMART TECH) gathered on the SMART TECH show on B SMART to discuss smart glasses, their future, and the evolution of Artificial Intelligence. This fascinating discussion raised a key question: are these smart glasses a revolution in the making or just another gadget? This comes at a time when AI is positioning itself as the true engine behind this innovation.
The Return of Smart Glasses
Smart glasses are not new, but their widespread adoption remains uncertain. Many promises were made in the past, notably with products like Google Glass or Apple's headsets. However, consumers never truly engaged with them. But today, with the integration of Artificial Intelligence, these devices finally seem to be reaching a turning point.
Jérôme Malzac pointed out that while smart glasses have been promising projects for over a decade, it is the integration of AI that has finally made them useful for daily life. According to him, smart glasses are no longer just a product meant to correct vision; they have become true multi-functional tools, capable of translating languages in real-time, analyzing objects, or providing information about our surroundings.
AI at the Heart of Smart Glasses' Evolution
Artificial Intelligence plays a central role in the evolution of smart glasses. Thanks to technologies like Generative AI, these glasses can now not only respond to voice commands but also interpret the user's actions and environment. This opens new perspectives for applications in sectors as diverse as manufacturing, healthcare, and even tourism.
Equipped with object recognition and instant translation systems, these glasses offer very concrete solutions in fields like training or logistics, where an operator might need hands-free assistance without having to consult a handheld terminal.
"We've been promised a lot": Jérôme Malzac's Point of View
However, Jérôme Malzac warned against the premature enthusiasm that has often surrounded AI in recent years. "We’ve been promised a lot with AI—spectacular breakthroughs—but they have taken time to materialize in everyday use. Today, we are starting to see tangible applications, but general adoption has yet to be proven," he added.
This remark highlights the historical challenges AI has faced in finding truly disruptive applications that live up to the expectations of both consumers and professionals. Nevertheless, Jérôme remains optimistic: "We are now at a turning point where AI can truly change the game, especially with products like smart glasses."
Toward Wider Adoption?
Smart glasses are on the verge of becoming mainstream, but several obstacles remain. Price, perceived utility, and privacy concerns remain sensitive topics, particularly regarding GDPR compliance. Companies and researchers must find a balance between innovation and social acceptability.
Yet, progress in miniaturization, onboard computing power, and battery life is opening promising prospects. The future of smart glasses, powered by AI, seems indeed to be a revolution in motion, even if the path ahead is still full of challenges.
*Micropole joined the Talan group in October 2024.
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