Lorde calls out festival sponsor's AI glasses, warns fans about surveillance in Madrid

Lorde used her set at a Madrid festival to publicly denounce AI-powered smart glasses, directing pointed criticism at the technology and its sponsor. During her performance, she told the crowd it is increasingly difficult to tell what is real when sunglasses can secretly record, according to The Verge, and specifically targeted the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses that were a sponsor of the event.

The VergeLorde criticizes Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses during Madrid festival performance

"Fuck the glasses."

Her remarks, captured on video and shared widely on social media as reported by ShortSingh, came after she thanked the audience for participating in "something real." The singer did not name the brand directly, but the comments were widely interpreted as a reference to Meta's device, which sponsored the festival according to multiple outlets.

ShortSinghLorde criticizes AI smart glasses during Madrid festival performance

Lorde's statement adds to a growing public backlash against wearable surveillance technology, as noted by Superintelligence News. The incident has reignited conversations about privacy and the erosion of authentic experiences in an increasingly tech-mediated world, according to en.cryptonomist.ch.

2 sources

Superintelligence NewsLorde Slams Meta’s Ray-Ban AI Glasses as Festival Tech Backlash Growsen.cryptonomist.chLorde criticizes AI smart glasses at Madrid festival, igniting privacy debate

"It's increasingly hard to know what's real."

StereogumLorde criticizes AI smart glasses during Mad Cool Festival performance

Stereogum reported that Lorde also called the glasses "not sexy" and connected the episode to Meta's broader AI Glasses campaign featuring Kylie Jenner. The protest highlights a tension between celebrity endorsements of such devices and the discomfort many feel with always-on recording, as Culturedailynews.com observed.

culturedailynews.comLorde Speaks Out Against “Fucked Up” AI Glasses