Meta files patent for AI glasses that can record memories without command

By Lauren Wilkin

Meta has filed a patent for new AI glasses that use facial recognition to capture moments without a command from the user - building up a searchable memory bank.

The patent, filed by Meta on August 13, covers the invention of an AI assistant built into a pair of smart glasses that can decide what to capture, when and what to store as a 'memory' - all without the wearer's input.

This means the glasses could record events without the wearer commanding them to, focusing on 'interesting' events based on facial expressions, conversations, behaviors and where the user is looking.

The AI assistant would also build up a profile of relationships, based on facial recognition - pulling up certain records associated with each person the wearer interacts with.

The patent says that the glasses could then "access a plurality of episodic memories associated with the user."

In a real-world example, the glasses could capture moments throughout a dinner party, focusing on and zooming in on interesting conversations and events.

At the end of the night, it could deliver a 'highlight' file to the wearer, containing videos and pictures captured throughout the evening.

The wearer would also be able to ask the assistant "what happened at this time in the dinner party?" and the AI assistant would be able to play back the video footage captured.

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The patent says that determining what to capture is based on a measure of "interestingness" which can be influenced by what someone is doing, their facial expression, objects they're associated with, and even where the wearer is looking using "eye gaze data."

This would mean wearers would have a searchable memory bank, where they are able to recall conversations and events through video and photos captured by the smart glasses.

Importantly, this technology does not yet exist. A patent is simply an application to protect an invention and to stop other people or companies from developing the idea.

Meta has already received a huge backlash to its latest smart glasses that use facial recognition.

After the launch of its latest models on June 23, more than 9,000 people have emailed Meta saying they do not consent to being filmed by the company's AI glasses.

The letter being sent to Meta reads: "I am objecting to Meta processing my personal data through its AI glasses (including Ray-Ban Meta and related products)."

It continues: "I am asking Meta to:

"Stop processing my personal data for the purposes listed above.

"Confirm in writing what data of mine has been processed and for what purpose.

"Confirm what action has been taken in response to this objection."