This summary article showcases ideas from a recent episode of BCG’s Imagine This . . . podcast. Alongside Kristi Woolsey , BCG associate director of immersive experience design, we explore the future we might see through AI-enabled glasses.
BCG’s AI agent Scribe generated this summary—with oversight and editing provided by humans.
Imagine this: It’s the year 2030. You spot a house for sale, and within seconds, the asking price, property taxes, and even a virtual tour of the interior are displayed in front of your eyes—no phone required. This seemingly sci-fi scenario is on the verge of becoming reality, thanks to the rise of AI-augmented smart glasses.
These glasses are more than just a new gadget—they’re poised to reshape industries, revolutionize how we work, and redefine consumer experiences. For businesses, preparing for this transformation is critical. From workforce development to ethical governance , the implications are vast, but so are the opportunities.
What Makes These Glasses Different?
You may remember earlier attempts at smart glasses that failed to gain traction. So what’s changed? Today’s smart glasses are backed by significantly more advanced technology.
- Many of the early issues, like slow image processing and unreliable voice recognition, have been solved. Breakthroughs in AI and computer vision now allow these glasses to provide real-time, contextually relevant information directly in the wearer’s line of sight. These advancements set these glasses apart.
- They can act as an on-the-go assistant, recognizing objects and tasks instantly and delivering the right information at the right time, without the need for additional devices.
The Business Impact: Transforming Operations
For businesses,
the implications of AI
and AI-augmented smart glasses are enormous. These devices are not just about efficiency; they will redefine how work gets done. Woolsey outlines several key areas where businesses will see immediate benefits:
- Enhanced Training and Skill Development: Smart glasses can dramatically accelerate employee training by offering real-time, step-by-step guidance. Employees can learn tasks 30%–40% faster using hands-on AI assistance, reducing onboarding time and improving skill retention. Additionally, remote experts can offer guidance through the glasses, overseeing multiple employees simultaneously and passing on knowledge without being physically present.
- Improved Workflow: Supervisors can monitor workflows in real-time, without the need for intrusive check-ins, identifying inefficiencies and ensuring safety compliance seamlessly.
Ethical Considerations: Building Trust
As exciting as AI-augmented smart glasses are, they also raise serious ethical concerns.
- Privacy, data security, and the impact on human relationships are critical issues that businesses must address proactively. For example, these glasses can interpret facial expressions and emotions more accurately than humans, which could lead to a breakdown in trust during personal or professional interactions.
- AI capabilities could create a scenario where relationships become less authentic. Imagine being in a meeting and your glasses tell you that a colleague doesn’t trust your presentation. Overreliance on AI’s interpretation of human behavior could undermine genuine interactions and complicate decision-making.
Privacy and Data Governance: A Competitive Edge
One of the biggest challenges businesses will face is ensuring that the data generated by smart glasses is handled responsibly.
- With these devices constantly collecting and analyzing data—whether it’s employee performance or customer behavior—there’s potential for misuse. Businesses that can build robust privacy frameworks and lead in responsible AI use will differentiate themselves in the market.
- Companies that prioritize clear, ethical AI practices will gain consumer trust and stand out in competitive markets.
- Leaders who set stringent internal governance policies on data use, transparency, and user control will find themselves ahead of the curve.
Potential Risks and Over-Reliance on AI
While the potential for AI-augmented smart glasses is vast, there are risks.
- If employees lean too heavily on AI-powered glasses, they may lose critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Business leaders must consider how to balance the use of these powerful tools with the need to maintain human expertise.
- Additionally, battery life and user adoption remain potential stumbling blocks. Will users find it cumbersome to recharge their glasses throughout the day? And how quickly will employees and consumers adopt this new technology?
Kristi Woolsey leads immersive experience design for BCG X, the firm's technology design-build organization. She also leads the firm’s Spatial Studio.
You can find Imagine This . . . wherever you get your podcasts.
