On Wednesday, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, launched the tech giant’s Connect developer conference with new AI products for consumers, including smart glasses that can respond to queries and stream directly on Facebook, as well as bots that make photo-realistic pictures and an updated virtual-reality headset.
Zuckerberg told the audience of employees, developers, and journalists that Meta is “focused on making the future of human connection” – and picture a near future where people interact with hologram versions of their mates or colleagues and with AI bots made to aid them.
Zuckerberg explained the products as getting together virtual and real worlds and stressed that aspect of what Meta suggested was low-cost or free AI that could be integrated into daily routines.
He said, “Soon the physical and digital will come together in what we call the ‘metaverse’.”
The firm disclosed the next version of its virtual-reality headset, the Quest 3. It will cost $499 and start shipping on October 10.
Zuckerberg also presented an AI personal assistant that users can interact with operating any of Meta’s messaging apps – along with a smattering of AI characters he called “a bit more fun”, such as “Max the sous chef”, who can assist come up with opinions for dinner, or Lily, a “personal editor and writing partner”.
He said, “These are just a few we have trained. There are a lot more coming.”
He also unveiled the next version of Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, which allowed people to record videos or take pictures, live stream, listen to music, and interact with the Meta AI assistant.
Zuckerberg said, “Smart glasses are the ideal form factor for you to let an AI assistant see what you are seeing and hear what you are hearing.”
The Smart glasses will launch on 17 October and cost $299.
