Google Co-founder Sergey Brin Admits Major Missteps With Google Glass

During a surprise appearance at Google I/O 2025, co-founder Sergey Brin openly acknowledged missteps with Google Glass in his onstage interview with DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. Hosted by Big Technology Podcast's Alex Kantrowitz, Brin reflected on the challenges of consumer electronics manufacturing.
Brin admitted lacking expertise in consumer electronics supply chains during Google Glass's development, particularly regarding cost-effective production. Despite these hurdles, he remains enthusiastic about smart glasses as a form factor and praised current collaborations with industry partners advancing the technology.
Google revealed its new Android XR glasses initiative earlier that day, marking its return to wearable tech nearly ten years after Glass was discontinued. Executives demonstrated how the DeepMind-powered glasses could handle real-time translations, navigation, and AI-powered queries.
For this AI- and AR-enabled project, Google has partnered with Samsung, Xreal, and Warby Parker - investing $150 million for an equity stake in the eyewear company. These alliances aim to address the complex supply chain issues Brin encountered during Glass's initial development.
Brin emphasized how generative AI advancements have made smart glass capabilities far more achievable than during Glass's era.
The executive also discussed coming out of retirement to contribute to Google's Gemini projects, regularly working at the Mountain View office. He's assisting with multimodal developments including the Veo 3 video generation model.
"No computer scientist should be retired today," Brin stated. "There's too much important work happening in AI."
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Reports indicate Brin has been driving Google's Gemini teams hard in the competitive AI landscape. Allegedly, he recommended employees maintain office attendance five days weekly and considers 60-hour workweeks optimal for productivity.
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During a surprise appearance at Google I/O 2025, co-founder Sergey Brin openly acknowledged missteps with Google Glass in his onstage interview with DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. Hosted by Big Technology Podcast's Alex Kantrowitz, Brin reflected on the challenges of consumer electronics manufacturing.
Brin admitted lacking expertise in consumer electronics supply chains during Google Glass's development, particularly regarding cost-effective production. Despite these hurdles, he remains enthusiastic about smart glasses as a form factor and praised current collaborations with industry partners advancing the technology.
Google revealed its new Android XR glasses initiative earlier that day, marking its return to wearable tech nearly ten years after Glass was discontinued. Executives demonstrated how the DeepMind-powered glasses could handle real-time translations, navigation, and AI-powered queries.
For this AI- and AR-enabled project, Google has partnered with Samsung, Xreal, and Warby Parker - investing $150 million for an equity stake in the eyewear company. These alliances aim to address the complex supply chain issues Brin encountered during Glass's initial development.
Brin emphasized how generative AI advancements have made smart glass capabilities far more achievable than during Glass's era.
The executive also discussed coming out of retirement to contribute to Google's Gemini projects, regularly working at the Mountain View office. He's assisting with multimodal developments including the Veo 3 video generation model.
"No computer scientist should be retired today," Brin stated. "There's too much important work happening in AI."
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Reserve your pass for our premier AI conference featuring leaders from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. Limited-time offer: Full-day access to keynote speeches, workshops, and networking for only $292.
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Showcase your innovation to 1,200+ industry leaders at TC Sessions: AI - affordable exhibition opportunities available until May 9 or until tables sell out.
Reports indicate Brin has been driving Google's Gemini teams hard in the competitive AI landscape. Allegedly, he recommended employees maintain office attendance five days weekly and considers 60-hour workweeks optimal for productivity.
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