OpenAI is reportedly considering the development of ChatGPT-powered smart glasses as part of a broader initiative to create a line of artificial intelligence hardware devices.
The new report from The Information indicates a potential shift in strategy, as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously stated his dislike for the smart glasses form factor.
Is OpenAI shifting from earlier plans?
In July, when asked if he was wearing smart glasses, Sam Altman responded,
“No, absolutely not, I don’t like smart glasses.”
This comment came after OpenAI had already announced a partnership with former Apple designer Jony Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, to develop its first hardware product.
At the time of that deal, The Wall Street Journal reported that the first device would be a screenless, pocket-sized device, and specifically not glasses or another wearable. The latest reports suggest that smart glasses are now being considered as part of a larger hardware strategy.
A broader push into AI hardware
According to The Information, OpenAI has been hiring design, manufacturing, and supply chain staff from Apple to build “a whole line” of AI-powered devices. In addition to its planned pocket-sized device, the company has reportedly considered several other form factors, including:
- Smart glasses
- A smart speaker
- A digital voice recorder
- A wearable pin
The first hardware products from this initiative are not expected to be released until late 2026 or 2027. If OpenAI decides to move forward with smart glasses, their launch would likely be several years away.
The potential move into smart glasses comes as other major technology companies are establishing a presence in the market. Meta recently announced its Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, and both Google and Apple are developing their own smart eyewear. The strategic importance of this form factor was highlighted by Meta’s Michael Abrash at the Connect 2025 event, where he described how future smart glasses will deliver “contextual AI” by providing proactive advice based on what the user is seeing and hearing.
If the adoption of smart glasses continues to grow, they could become a primary platform for interacting with AI. A significant delay in entering the market could put OpenAI at a disadvantage against competitors who have already established a hardware ecosystem for their AI services.
