Meta Platforms has announced a delay in the international rollout of its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, citing overwhelming U.S. demand and limited inventory. The company said it will pause plans to launch the product in the U.K., France, Italy, and Canada this year, focusing instead on fulfilling existing orders in the United States. Since the glasses launched in the fall, Meta has experienced unprecedented interest, resulting in waitlists that extend well into 2026. The delay reflects the challenges of scaling production for a new consumer AI product with high expectations. The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, priced at $799, are the company’s first consumer-ready AI-powered eyewear. They allow users to watch videos, respond to messages, and access AI features through a companion wristband that uses neural technology to interpret gestures and commands. The product is the result of a long-term partnership between Meta and EssilorLuxottica, the global eyewear company behind Ray-Ban, which began in 2019. The collaboration was renewed in 2024, signaling Meta’s commitment to expanding its presence in wearable technology. CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the glasses in September, positioning them as a key step in Meta’s vision for the next generation of computing. The device is designed to blend seamlessly into daily life while offering hands-free access to digital content and AI assistance. The success of the product has already had a measurable impact on EssilorLuxottica, which reported third-quarter revenue growth partially driven by the partnership. Meta is not alone in the race to bring smart glasses to market. The company is one of several tech giants investing heavily in wearable AI. Alphabet announced a $150 million partnership with Warby Parker in May to develop AI-powered eyewear, aiming to integrate generative AI into everyday vision. Meanwhile, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is reportedly collaborating with Apple on AI glasses, potentially combining Apple’s hardware expertise with OpenAI’s language models to create a new class of intelligent wearables. The smart glasses market is still in its early stages, but it represents a major strategic bet for tech companies looking to move beyond smartphones and into ambient, always-on computing. These devices could become central to how people interact with AI, access information, and communicate. However, challenges remain, including user privacy, battery life, design appeal, and the need for reliable, low-latency AI processing. Meta’s current delay underscores the difficulty of meeting surging demand for such innovative products, even with strong partnerships and advanced technology. The company is now reassessing its global rollout strategy, balancing the need to deliver to early adopters in the U.S. with the long-term goal of international expansion. The success of the Ray-Ban Display could influence how other companies approach the market, especially as consumer interest in AI wearables grows. As the industry evolves, the competition to deliver practical, stylish, and powerful smart glasses will intensify. Meta’s experience with the Ray-Ban Display provides a real-world case study in the challenges of scaling a new consumer technology, even for a company with deep resources and a strong brand. The coming months will be critical in determining whether smart glasses can transition from niche gadgets to mainstream devices, and how quickly the market can adapt to the demands of a new era of AI-driven wearables.