Alibaba has entered the AI-powered wearable technology space with two new smart glasses. Announced as Quark AI, the products integrate with the company’s own large language model, Qwen, and its advanced AI assistant, Querk. Positioned as a direct competitor to Meta’s AI glasses, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, these devices are scheduled to be released by the end of the year.

Alibaba Unveils Quark AI Glasses

The glasses introduced by Alibaba resemble standard glasses in appearance. However, they stand out with their integrated camera and AI-powered functions on the hardware front. The glasses can make calls using voice commands, play music, perform instant translations, and summarize conversations.

The glasses will also reportedly integrate with Alibaba’s other digital services. The company offers numerous digital services in China, including navigation, online shopping, and ticketing. These services are planned to be directly accessible through Quark Glasses.

No information has yet been released regarding the device’s technical specifications, battery capacity, or pricing. However, Alibaba’s investments in AI are as noteworthy as the hardware of its products. The company’s large language model family, called Qwen, offers global performance comparable to models from companies like OpenAI and Google.

Chinese technology companies entering this field is not new. Xiaomi previously introduced a similar product. AI-powered glasses are seen as an alternative to smartphones in terms of both user experience and information access. Therefore, it is expected that more technology companies from both China and the West will continue to invest in this area.