Survey of 12,000 Consumers Finds Personal AI in Wearables Goes Mainstream, Led by Smart Glasses and Hearables

Consumer appetite for personal AI is moving beyond novelty and into daily life, according to a new report commissioned by Qualcomm Technologies. The study, based on a survey of more than 12,000 people across the U.S., U.K., Germany, India, Brazil, and China, found that wearable owners are already using AI frequently—60 percent use it at least weekly—signaling a shift from early adopter experimentation to mainstream habit. Wearables like smartwatches, smart glasses, and hearables are evolving from passive notification mirrors to proactive, context-aware companions. The report highlights a growing preference for connected ecosystems over single devices. Instead of relying solely on a smartphone, consumers want their car, watch, glasses, and other wearables to work in concert, coordinated by a personal AI agent that understands their location, habits, and schedule. The smartphone remains important, but the AI is becoming the interface. A typical scenario: a watch detects it’s time to leave for a meeting, the AI agent factors in traffic and battery status, the car suggests the best route, and smart glasses surface a discreet reminder—all while the phone stays in the pocket. However, simply adding more hardware isn’t enough. Users demand that each new device deliver incremental intelligence, convenience, or contextual awareness that existing devices can’t. As personal AI becomes an always-on part of daily routines, the race is on to build seamless, user-directed ecosystems that reduce friction and put the individual at the center.