Alibaba enters the AI glasses market

Alibaba released its Quark artificial intelligence glasses in China on Thursday, marking a move by the company to expand into a market long dominated by Meta. The launch adds new competition to the global race to build devices that blend entertainment and computing through AI.

The Quark glasses will sell from 1,899 yuan. The headset is powered by Alibaba’s Qwen AI model and app. The device resembles standard eyewear, featuring a black plastic frame rather than the bulkier designs common in the industry.

Alibaba said the glasses integrate closely with its major consumer platforms. Users will be able to carry out tasks such as on-the-go translation and instant price recognition. The company said Alipay and Taobao services will be built into the experience.

The launch signals an effort by Alibaba to raise its profile in consumer AI. The company has trailed rivals in this segment and has accelerated product releases in recent months. Earlier in November, Alibaba rolled out a significant upgrade to its AI chatbot.

Competition in the wearables market has intensified as tech companies look for the next generation of devices supported by advanced AI models. Meta continues to dominate the global virtual-reality headset segment, holding about 80% of that market. Apple sells its Vision Pro device, while Samsung introduced its Galaxy XR extended-reality headset in October. Samsung’s product uses AI features developed by Google, part of Alphabet.

Chinese rivals are also advancing similar technologies. Xiaomi launched an AI-enabled glasses product in June. Baidu already sells an AI glasses device of its own.

Alibaba’s entry adds momentum to a sector that has become a priority for major platforms seeking new growth. The company is positioning the Quark glasses as an everyday gadget and aims to leverage its large user base and app ecosystem to attract buyers.

The release highlights the broader effort among global and Chinese firms to turn AI-driven hardware into mainstream consumer products. As more companies push into the market, competition around design, price and software ecosystems is expected to intensify.