Speaking at Google I/O 2025, Google co-founder Sergey Brin acknowledged significant missteps in the development of Google Glass, citing his limited understanding of the consumer electronics supply chain and the unexpected complexity of manufacturing smart glasses at scale and reasonable cost. Brin, appearing as a surprise guest alongside Google DeepMind’s CEO Demis Hassabis, spoke candidly during the onstage session moderated by Big Technology Podcast host Alex Kantrowitz.
Brin revealed his continued belief in the potential and viability of smart glasses as a user-friendly form factor, praising Google’s renewed commitment to the technology. He emphasized that the company’s current approach involves strategic partnerships with experienced industry leaders who can better navigate complex supply chain issues.
Earlier at the event, Google’s leadership team unveiled details on their latest attempt at bringing smart glasses to market through the Android XR platform. This initiative involves collaborations with well-established electronics and eyewear companies, including Samsung, Xreal, and Warby Parker. Google announced it would invest up to $150 million into a partnership with Warby Parker, even taking an equity stake in the eyewear brand, signaling a more methodical and collaborated approach compared to Google Glass.
Demonstrations at Google I/O featured Android XR glasses powered by DeepMind’s Project Astra, highlighting advanced features like real-time language translation, immersive guidance for navigation, and seamless AI-assisted queries. Brin emphasized that breakthroughs in generative AI now make practical smart glass applications far more attainable than they were during the era of Google Glass.
Additionally, Brin shared that he has effectively come out of retirement to actively support Google’s generative AI projects. He disclosed spending considerable time in Google’s Mountain View campus, where he focuses on multimodal AI efforts, like the video-generating model Veo 3, within the Gemini initiative.
He then underscored a call to action for others in the tech community, stressing that the rapid evolution of AI requires the immediate attention of skilled computer scientists, adding, “Anybody who’s a computer scientist should not be retired right now. They should be working on AI.”
Previously, reports indicated that Brin has been proactively pushing Google’s Gemini teams to accelerate their work to maintain a competitive edge in the AI landscape. Recently, he reportedly advised Google staff in an internal memo that working from the office every weekday and dedicating around 60 hours weekly could be key to optimal productivity amid the intense competition within the AI industry.
