Wearables at the Crossroads of Fashion, AI, and Personal Identity, By Shuaib S. Agaka
For years, wearable technology announced itself loudly. Smartwatches glowed on wrists, fitness bands tracked every step, and devices made no effort to blend into daily life. At CES 2026, this visual language has evolved dramatically. The most talked-about wearable AI devices no longer resemble conventional gadgets. Instead, they appear as pendants, pins, rings, and other subtle accessories that integrate seamlessly into clothing while quietly performing complex tasks. Among the standout innovations were Motorola’s Maxwell pendant, Plaud’s NotePin S, the Omi voice assistant, and Looki’s AI life coach wearable, all designed to make intelligence ambient and personal rather than overt and intrusive.
This shift reflects more than a design trend. Wearable AI is moving from a tool-centric model to an identity-centric one. Devices no longer demand attention through screens or notifications. They listen, summarise, organise, and assist continuously, operating in the background while users go about their day. In this context, using technology becomes less about interaction and more about integration.Â
Early wearable devices prioritised function over form. Fitness bands and smartwatches were tolerated for their utility rather than embraced for style. They were often removed when their quality of being new is faded, and rarely regarded as extensions of personal identity. Today’s devices, by contrast, are designed for continuous wear and seamless integration into daily routines. Screen-free pendants, minimalist pins, and discreet rings demonstrate a conscious move away from wrist-bound computing, allowing intelligence to accompany users unobtrusively. Adoption now depends as much on emotional resonance as practical functionality; a device that is visually or physically intrusive struggles to become habitual.
Design has become inseparable from function. Many of the new wearables adopt neutral finishes, minimalist profiles, and materials that mimic jewellery or everyday accessories rather than electronics. The absence of screens is deliberate, allowing intelligence to operate quietly, with user interaction facilitated through voice, haptics, or companion applications. Comfort, social acceptability, and aesthetic longevity are now central to success. Technology that users do not enjoy wearing will never become truly personal or indispensable.
The convergence of fashion and AI has emerged as a defining feature of the latest devices. Clothing and accessories function as social signals, communicating taste, lifestyle, and identity. By embedding intelligence into familiar forms, pendants resembling minimalist necklaces, pins echoing corporate badges, and rings shaped to blend naturally, manufacturers reduce psychological barriers and make AI feel approachable. Fashion, in this sense, becomes a bridge between innovation and acceptance, allowing devices to exist visibly without social friction.
As AI moves closer to the body, it reshapes social dynamics. Unlike smartphones, which can be put away or clearly activated, many wearable AI devices operate continuously and unobtrusively, creating a new form of public technology. Wearing a pendant, pin, or ring can signal efficiency, creativity, or technological awareness, but it also introduces considerations around awareness, consent, and etiquette. For these devices to be accepted, transparency and responsible usage are essential. Norms are likely to evolve, much like they did for smartphones and cameras, requiring indicators, shared expectations, and user education.
Despite excitement surrounding these innovations, mainstream adoption faces several hurdles. Continuous operation makes battery life critical, and comfort, durability, and reliability are paramount when devices are worn throughout the day. Privacy is a major concern; audio input, cloud processing, and data storage demand trust. Users familiar with data breaches or opaque platforms may hesitate to adopt such technology, regardless of safeguards. Furthermore, devices must demonstrate consistent, tangible value. Life-logging, cognitive assistance, or memory support only justify continuous wear if they reliably improve productivity, reduce mental load, or enhance quality of life. Without these benefits, users may revert to familiar tools.
Wearable AI also prompts questions about personal identity. Devices that listen, summarise, and prompt blur the boundary between human cognition and machine assistance. Responsibilities once handled internally—memory, organisation, attention—are increasingly shared with intelligent systems. This can empower users, but it also introduces dependence. Over time, effectiveness may be measured less by personal skill and more by how well the wearable supports daily tasks. The challenge lies in ensuring that technology enhances individuality without diminishing it, preserving autonomy while offering augmentation.
The evolution of wearable AI mirrors broader trends in human-computer interaction. Intelligence is no longer confined to devices in pockets or on desks; it moves with the body, integrates into routines, and becomes part of personal identity. Adoption will be driven not only by features but by trust, comfort, and subtle integration. In countries like Nigeria, NITDA’s work in promoting digital literacy and responsible AI use is increasingly relevant, as citizens must navigate these technologies thoughtfully and safely. Agencies that prepare users for AI’s societal and personal implications help ensure that adoption is meaningful rather than superficial.
Ultimately, wearable AI represents a fundamental shift in how people relate to technology. It is personal, social, and visible, moving beyond novelty to define the future of human-computer interaction. Success will depend not only on engineering and design but also on cultural acceptance and user confidence. By blending fashion, intelligence, and social awareness, these devices signal a world where technology is seamlessly integrated into identity.
CES 2026 revealed that the next wave of wearable AI is not just about functionality or technical sophistication—it is about creating devices people want to wear, trust, and rely on. The Maxwell pendant, NotePin S, Omi voice assistant, and Looki life coach illustrate this new paradigm, demonstrating that AI can be simultaneously powerful, discreet, and socially resonant. How society embraces these devices will define not only their success but also the trajectory of personal technology for the years to come.
Shuaib S. Agaka is a tech journalist and digital policy analyst based in Kano. Can be reached via [email protected]
