Meta donates 15,000 AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses to Irish sight-loss charity

Meta announced a program to distribute 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to Vision Ireland, the national charity serving blind and visually impaired adults. Recipients will need to register interest via Vision Ireland’s online portal or dedicated phone line, after which the organization will select eligible applicants and provide hands-on training. The initiative aims to give every adult supported by the charity access to AI-driven features such as spoken text reading, object identification and voice-controlled messaging.

Critics have highlighted privacy risks, noting that the glasses could be used for surreptitious recording and may eventually incorporate facial-recognition software, as suggested by recent code findings. In response, Meta said it would deactivate cameras in any glasses whose recording LEDs are tampered with. The devices also integrate with the Be My Eyes volunteer network, allowing users to request live help for simple tasks like choosing clothing or locating items in a store.