Google Plans AI Glasses While Gemini Surges Past Competitors

Google is making significant strides in the AI hardware space, planning to release new AI glasses next year. These glasses, developed with partners like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, will come in two versions: a screen-free model for interacting with Gemini and taking photos, and a display-equipped version for private information like navigation. Both will run on Android XR, with Google investing up to $150 million in these partnerships to compete with companies such as Meta, Apple, and Snap. The display glasses are expected in 2026, with more details on Project Aura also slated for that year. In other Google news, its generative AI platform, Gemini, has seen a massive surge in popularity, becoming the 26th most visited website worldwide in November 2025. It recorded 1.351 billion visits, a 14.36% increase from October and a remarkable 391.68% growth year-over-year. Gemini now stands as the second most popular generative AI platform, though it still trails ChatGPT. This growth follows the release of Google's Gemini 3 Pro model. Simultaneously, Google faces scrutiny from the European Commission, which is investigating whether the company unfairly uses publisher content for its AI Overviews and if its search dominance harms competition. The broader AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly across various sectors. Bitcoin miners are increasingly shifting their powerful computing resources and energy from cryptocurrency mining to supporting AI infrastructure, recognizing the shared demand for high-performance computing. AI is also transforming consumer behavior, with about a quarter of UK Christmas shoppers already using tools like ChatGPT for gift ideas. This shift compels brands to adapt their strategies, focusing on online reviews and product details to appeal to AI bots for 'generative engine optimization.' Legal challenges are emerging as news organizations, including The New York Times and Chicago Tribune, sue AI companies like Perplexity over the unauthorized use of their content. These lawsuits aim to establish clear boundaries and secure compensation for intellectual property. Meanwhile, the demand for specialized AI skills is growing, with Interview Kickstart launching new training courses focused on agentic AI systems for engineers. Gen Z professionals, like entrepreneur Kiara Nirghin, are already leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini as co-pilots for tasks, demonstrating an AI fluency that helps them stand out. Finally, DoubleVerify Holdings appointed Stuart Flint as its new EMEA Managing Director, signaling an increased focus on AI-driven solutions to enhance digital advertising verification services, and a recent decision by Donald Trump is noted to have impacted the technological competition between the United States and China in the AI race.

Key Takeaways

• Google plans to release AI-enabled smart glasses next year, partnering with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, with an investment of up to $150 million.
• Google Gemini became the 26th most visited website globally in November 2025, reaching 1.351 billion visits and showing a 391.68% year-over-year growth.
• The European Commission is investigating Google's AI search practices, specifically regarding the use of publisher content for AI Overviews and potential anti-competitive behavior.
• Bitcoin miners are increasingly reallocating their resources to support AI infrastructure, moving away from cryptocurrency mining.
• Approximately 25% of UK Christmas shoppers use AI tools like ChatGPT for gift ideas, prompting brands to optimize for AI recommendations rather than just keywords.
• News organizations, including The New York Times and Chicago Tribune, are suing AI companies like Perplexity over the use of their content, seeking to establish intellectual property boundaries.
• Interview Kickstart launched new training courses for software engineers focused on agentic AI systems, covering design, management, and ethical considerations.
• Gen Z professionals are demonstrating high AI fluency, using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini as co-pilots for tasks such as coding and research.
• DoubleVerify Holdings appointed Stuart Flint as its new EMEA Managing Director, emphasizing an increased focus on AI-driven solutions for digital advertising verification.
• A decision made by Donald Trump this week is reported to have impacted the US-China AI competition, potentially allowing China to gain ground.

Google plans AI glasses release next year

Google is developing new AI glasses with partners like Warby Parker. They plan to release two types: screen-free glasses for talking with Gemini and taking photos, and display glasses for private information like navigation. Both will use Android XR and offer features like a 70-degree field of view. Google invested up to $150 million in the Warby Parker partnership. The screen-free version is expected next year, with more details on Project Aura in 2026.

Google advances AI glasses while facing EU inquiry

Google plans to launch its first AI-enabled smart glasses in 2026, partnering with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. These glasses will run on Android XR and come in two versions: one for hands-free interaction with Gemini and another with a display for private information. Google committed up to $150 million to these partnerships, aiming to compete with Meta, Apple, and Snap. At the same time, the European Commission is investigating Google's AI search practices. They are looking into whether Google uses publisher content unfairly for AI Overviews and if its search dominance harms competition.

Google Gemini traffic jumps to 26th most visited site

Google Gemini became the 26th most visited website worldwide in November 2025, reaching 1.351 billion visits. This marks a 14.36% increase from October and a huge 391.68% growth compared to November 2024. Among the top 30 websites, only Amazon, Netflix, and Gemini showed monthly growth. Gemini is now the second most popular generative AI platform, though still behind ChatGPT. This growth follows the release of Google's Gemini 3 Pro model, showing its success in reaching more users.

DoubleVerify appoints new EMEA leader and boosts AI focus

DoubleVerify Holdings appointed Stuart Flint, a former TikTok Europe executive, as its new Managing Director for EMEA. Flint will lead regional operations and strengthen client relationships across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This move highlights DoubleVerify's increased focus on AI-driven solutions to improve digital advertising verification services. The company expects AI to help fight ad fraud, boost campaign performance, and offer better measurement tools for advertisers. Flint's experience should enhance DoubleVerify's market position in the quickly changing digital advertising world.

Trump's decision impacts US China AI race

Donald Trump made a decision this week that changed the technological competition between the United States and China. This move could affect the balance in the AI race between the two countries. The article suggests that Trump's actions might allow China to catch up.

Bitcoin miners shift focus to AI from crypto

Bitcoin miners are starting to choose supporting AI infrastructure over mining cryptocurrency. This is because the powerful computers and large amounts of energy needed for Bitcoin mining are also very valuable for AI. Many miners are now using their resources to support AI instead of just crypto. This change is a big topic on The Indicator from Planet Money.

AI changes Christmas shopping for consumers and brands

AI is changing how people shop for Christmas gifts, with about a quarter of UK shoppers already using AI tools like ChatGPT for ideas. This shift means brands must now appeal to AI bots as much as to human shoppers. Retailers are adapting their strategies, focusing on online reviews, product details, and accurate availability information rather than just keywords and ads. Companies like Moonpig are using generative engine optimisation to ensure their products appear in AI searches. Experts believe AI will transform retail over the next two decades, requiring businesses to earn their place in AI recommendations.

Interview Kickstart launches agentic AI course for engineers

Interview Kickstart announced new training courses focused on agentic AI systems for software engineers and tech professionals. These courses will teach skills for designing and managing low-code autonomous multi-agent systems. The curriculum covers agent architecture, communication, reinforcement learning, and ethical considerations. This initiative helps engineers meet the growing demand for autonomous AI capabilities in the industry. Interview Kickstart aims to prepare professionals for specialized AI roles and developing future AI applications.

News organizations sue AI companies over content use

The New York Times and Chicago Tribune recently sued Perplexity, joining other publishers in legal action against AI companies. These lawsuits aim to set clear rules for how AI technology uses information from news organizations. Publishers want to establish boundaries around the new technology, which relies heavily on their content. They hope to win compensation and control over their intellectual property.

Gen Z AI fluency helps them stand out says founder

Kiara Nirghin, a Gen Z entrepreneur and Stanford technologist, states that young people are growing up fluent in AI, which helps them stand out. She believes Gen Z uses AI to think deeper and work alongside AI agents for tasks like coding and research. Nirghin, co-founder of Chima, spoke at Fortune Brainstorm AI, explaining that AI changes how people write, take tests, and apply for jobs. She encourages everyone to get comfortable with main AI models like ChatGPT and Gemini as co-pilots, as the technology will only become more advanced.

Sources

• Google is launching AI glasses in 2026. What we know so far.
• Google Pushes Forward on AI Glasses for 2026 as EU Opens Competition Inquiry Into AI Search Practices
• Google Gemini Becomes 26th Most Visited Website In The World After 14% Traffic Jump In November
• How a New EMEA Leader and AI Focus At DoubleVerify Holdings (DV) Has Changed Its Investment Story
• Did Trump just let China catch up in the AI race?
• Bitcoin miners are betting on AI over crypto : The Indicator from Planet Money
• ‘What should I buy Dad for Christmas?’: is retail ready for the AI shopping shift?
• Agentic AI Course for Software Engineers Announced by Interview Kickstart as Demand for Low-Code Autonomous Multi-Agent Systems Grows
• Why news organizations are suing AI companies, and what they hope to win
• Young people are ‘growing up fluent in AI’, and that’s helping them stand apart from their older peers, says Gen Z founder Kiara Nirghin