Meta Invests $3.5B in EssilorLuxottica to Advance AI Smart Glasses

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has acquired a nearly 3% stake in EssilorLuxottica SA (OTC: ESLOY), valued at approximately $3.5 billion, as part of its growing push into AI-powered smart glasses, according to Bloomberg sources. The move deepens Meta’s partnership with the Italian-French eyewear giant and underscores CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s long-term strategy to expand beyond social platforms into next-generation hardware.

EssilorLuxottica, best known for brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley, already collaborates with Meta on smart eyewear. Their co-developed Ray-Ban smart glasses feature built-in cameras and AI-driven voice assistance. Meta recently expanded the product line with Oakley-branded versions, integrating similar AI functionality and wearable tech innovations.

This latest investment signals Meta’s commitment to leading the smart glasses market by leveraging artificial intelligence in everyday consumer devices. With plans to potentially increase its stake to 5%, Meta is positioning itself as a key strategic partner rather than a majority shareholder, aligning financial support with technological co-development.

The deal also highlights Meta’s broader pivot toward AI as a core pillar of its growth strategy. As AI infrastructure becomes increasingly expensive, embedding AI into physical products like smart eyewear provides a direct consumer interface and new monetization pathways.

EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri had previously hinted at a possible equity investment from Meta, and the finalized deal reflects rising confidence that smart glasses could achieve mass-market traction. The partnership strengthens both companies’ leadership in merging fashion, vision, and cutting-edge tech, as the battle for AI-enabled consumer hardware accelerates.

By reinforcing its footprint in smart eyewear, Meta is not only diversifying its portfolio but also staking a claim in the future of wearable AI.