Slate Daily Feed What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - 2025: Dystopian Tech of the Year
Jan 2, 2026
Nitish Pahwa, a staff writer at Slate covering business and technology, dives into the unsettling world of 2025's most dystopian tech. He highlights AI sunglasses, discussing their features and privacy risks. The conversation explores why companies are reviving smart glasses, despite past failures, and the troubling implications of personalized AI avatars. Nitish cites the clash between public skepticism and industry momentum, predicting a bumpy road ahead for AI regulation and consumer acceptance.
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Invisible Surveillance On The Street
- AI sunglasses make surveillance and data collection invisible in public spaces.
- Nitish Pahwa warns these glasses can record and link data without bystanders knowing.
Glasses As Mini Computers
- AI glasses are effectively mini computers worn on the face with cameras and audio.
- Pahwa notes companies push hardware to move AI beyond phones into everyday wearables.
Don't Let AI Distract During Active Tasks
- Avoid relying on AI in contexts where attention and safety matter, like biking.
- Nitish Pahwa suggests some features are unnecessary and can distract from real-world awareness.