Alibaba Group, one of China’s leading technology conglomerates, has announced the forthcoming launch of its first pair of AI-powered smart glasses, marking its entry into the wearable technology market. The device, known as Quark AI Glasses, is expected to be released in China by the end of 2025.
These innovative glasses incorporate Alibaba’s proprietary Qwen large language model alongside its sophisticated AI assistant, Quark, to deliver a highly intuitive, hands-free user experience that goes beyond the capabilities of conventional smartphones.
With wearable technology increasingly viewed as the next major advancement in personal computing, potentially complementing or even replacing smartphones, Alibaba intends to become a prominent player in this swiftly evolving sector. The Quark assistant, recently updated, is currently available as a mobile app in China, and embedding it directly into smart glasses offers users seamless, real-time interaction.
The Quark AI Glasses will compete with products such as Meta’s smart glasses, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, which have attracted global attention. Domestically, Alibaba will also vie with rivals like Xiaomi, which introduced its own AI-enhanced smart eyewear earlier this year.
The glasses promise a range of practical features, including hands-free calling, music streaming, real-time language translation and meeting transcription. They also feature a built-in camera, allowing users to capture images or potentially explore augmented reality applications in the future.
Alibaba’s extensive ecosystem provides a key advantage for the new wearable. The company’s services span multiple areas, including digital mapping, e-commerce and digital payments through its affiliate, Ant Group, which operates the widely used Alipay platform. Users will reportedly be able to navigate via the glasses, make payments with Alipay and browse or compare prices on Taobao, Alibaba’s dominant online marketplace.
Industry experts note that integrating AI-powered large language models into wearable devices displays a notable step toward making intelligent assistants more embedded in daily life. While Meta’s Vision Pro and Ray-Ban Stories have gained international recognition, Alibaba aims to capture the Chinese market with a product that is deeply integrated with local digital services.
Precise details regarding pricing and technical specifications of the Quark AI Glasses have yet to be revealed.
Market analysts from IDC forecast rapid growth in the adoption of smart wearables, particularly glasses, over the coming years, driven by advancements in AI, miniaturisation and affordability. Alibaba’s focus on AI models trained on large datasets aims to set the Quark AI Glasses apart by delivering context-aware, intelligent assistance that rivals have yet to fully match.
The global wearables market, led by products such as the Apple Watch and Meta’s emerging smart glasses, is witnessing increased competition from Chinese manufacturers including Xiaomi and Huawei, with Alibaba now joining the race to lead in this expanding field.