Zuckerberg faces multiple demo failures at Meta Ray-Bans launch event
What's the story
At Meta Connect 2025, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Meta Ray-Ban Display, a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses featuring a heads-up display and integrated Meta Neural Band wristband. The $800 glasses are designed to display notifications, translations, and assist with navigation, aiming to provide a seamless blend of digital information and the physical world However, the launch event didn't go as smoothly as Zuckerberg had hoped, with multiple demos failing to work as intended.
Glitch #1
Glasses fail to provide correct steps during demo
In one of the live demos, Chef Jack Mancuso attempted to use the second-gen Ray-Ban Meta glasses' AI assistant to follow a recipe. However, the AI provided incorrect instructions, repeatedly suggesting steps that had already been completed. "Now that you've made your base ..." the glasses began several times, ignoring the presenter's repeated request for instructions on how to make that base: "What do I do first?" Zuckerberg attributed the issue to a "messed-up" Wi-Fi connection.
Twitter Post
Take a look at the live demo glitch
Meta AI's live demo failed for the entire minute 😢 pic.twitter.com/du4roaW0ER
— near (@nearcyan) September 18, 2025
Glitch #2
Glasses failed to answer a WhatsApp call
The second demo aimed to showcase the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses' video calling capabilities. Zuckerberg appeared flustered as repeated WhatsApp video calls from Meta CTO Andrew "Boz" Bosworth popped up on his glasses. Zuckerberg's Neural Band interface failed to register the call, forcing Boz to join him in person on stage. Despite these setbacks, the audience remained supportive. Zuckerberg acknowledged the challenges, noting the unpredictability of live demonstrations and the importance of real-world testing for new technology.
Twitter Post
'That's too bad,' says Zuckerberg as WhatsApp call demo fails
Love it! Respect!
— @jason (@Jason) September 18, 2025
Demo or die, as is the tradition!
NO CANNED DEMOS pic.twitter.com/3AsusMzgzX
Product demonstration
Despite failures, Zuckerberg showed pre-recorded video of glasses in action
Despite the demo failures, Zuckerberg showed a pre-recorded video of the Meta Ray-Bans being used to design a surfboard and order parts. He said this is how the glasses would work with agentic AI, brushing aside concerns about whether agentic AI actually works in live demos or not.