What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future 2025: Dystopian Tech of the Year
Jan 2, 2026
Nitish Pahwa, a staff writer at Slate specializing in technology and business, delves into the increasingly dystopian landscape of AI tech. He discusses the unsettling implications of AI-enabled sunglasses, highlighting their hidden features that blend real-world interactions with digital intrusion. The conversation touches on the market's push for smarter wearables and the risks of parasocial relationships with AI chatbots. Nitish also raises ethical concerns about creating AI replicas of deceased loved ones and the growing skepticism among consumers regarding AI's real impact.
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Invisible, Always-On AI On Your Face
- AI sunglasses turn generative models into invisible, always-on data collectors in public spaces.
- Nitish Pahwa warns these glasses can record and connect to apps without bystanders noticing.
Smart Glasses Are Mini Computers
- Modern AI glasses are mini computers with cameras, speakers, and LLM interfaces.
- Nitish Pahwa notes they're physically improved and marketed as normal sunglasses to reduce scrutiny.
Question The ‘Stay Present’ Claim
- Avoid expecting AI glasses to increase presence; they often distract from direct experience.
- Consider whether you truly need live AI updates for trivial tasks like speed or weather while active.