Meta has confirmed that its AI training now involves more than just social media posts — it’s using images and videos captured through its new Ray-Ban Smart Glasses. The tech giant revealed that any media shared with its Meta AI via the glasses will be used to improve future AI models, as reported by TechCrunch based on inputs from a company representative.
"[I]n locations where multimodal AI is available (currently US and Canada), images and videos shared with Meta AI may be used to improve it per our Privacy Policy," Meta policy communications manager Emil Vazquez reportedly said.
While Meta initially hesitated to clarify if content from the glasses would be used for AI training, it now acknowledges that any images or videos reviewed by Meta AI will be utilised for this purpose. However, media captured with the glasses without using the AI are said to be excluded from this process.
Are Photos Not Private?
This revelation may raise privacy concerns for some users, as photos and videos taken on devices are not always intended for public sharing. However, once a user interacts with Meta AI using the glasses, their private content could become part of the company’s AI training data.
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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has defended the practice, downplaying the significance of individual user data in AI development. In a recent interview, he stated that creators tend to overvalue their contributions, stressing that the data isn’t as critical as many think.
Priced between $299 and $379, the Ray-Ban Smart Glasses aim to enhance users’ daily experiences, offering features like navigation assistance and real-time translation. However, this convenience comes with the caveat that any interaction with Meta AI through the glasses will be used to further train AI systems.
The only way to avoid this data usage is to opt out of the AI features altogether—or steer clear of others using the glasses, as interactions with the AI are subject to Meta's data analysis policies.