Google co-founder Sergey Brin admitted to making a slew of blunders with Google Glass during an interview at Google I/O 2025. In a surprise appearance alongside Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, Brin confessed to being clueless about consumer electronic supply chains and the challenges of creating affordable smart glasses. Despite his mishaps, Brin expressed optimism about the potential of smart glasses as a form factor and highlighted the company’s renewed focus on the technology with the help of “great partners.”
Google recently unveiled its latest venture into Android XR smart glasses, a decade after the demise of the original Google Glass project. Showcasing the glasses powered by DeepMind’s Project Astra, Google demonstrated how the technology could revolutionize live translations, navigation, and AI interactions. Collaborating with industry giants like Samsung and Xreal, Google is investing heavily in the smart glasses sector, including a $150 million partnership with Warby Parker to address supply chain issues.
Brin emphasized the role of generative AI in enhancing the capabilities of smart glasses, comparing the advancements to the limitations faced by Google Glass. Despite officially retiring, Brin has returned to the forefront of Google’s Gemini efforts, dedicating his time to multimodal projects like the video-generating model Veo 3. Encouraging computer scientists to stay active in the AI field, Brin has reportedly pushed his teams to excel, advocating for a rigorous work ethic to stay competitive in the fast-paced tech industry.
Not really sure why this matters, but Maxwell Zeff, a senior reporter at TechCrunch, offers insights into the AI landscape and emerging technologies. With a background in media outlets like Gizmodo, Bloomberg, and MSNBC, Zeff brings a wealth of experience to his coverage of AI advancements and the challenges faced by Silicon Valley. Based in San Francisco, Zeff enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and biking, along with exploring the diverse food scene in the Bay Area.
In conclusion, Google’s journey with smart glasses reflects the ever-evolving nature of technology and the perseverance required to succeed in a rapidly changing industry. Despite past failures, Sergey Brin’s determination to push boundaries and embrace new possibilities highlights the importance of innovation and collaboration in driving progress. As Google continues to invest in smart glasses and AI capabilities, the future promises exciting developments that could reshape how we interact with technology in the years to come.
