The event comes as the Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp owner faces ongoing scrutiny over the impact of its products, particularly on children.

He called the technology a "huge scientific breakthrough" before an audience of hundreds gathered on the company's Silicon Valley campus.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display comes with a full-colour high-resolution screen in one lens where users can conduct video calls and see messages. It also features a 12-megapixel camera.

Mr Zuckerberg hopes Meta's line of smart accessories will be a key platform for integrating its artificial intelligence tool, Meta AI, into people's lives.

Analysts say smart glasses are likely to be more successful than the firm's multi-billion dollar Metaverse project - virtual worlds to connect users across digital environments.

"Unlike VR headsets, glasses are an everyday, non-cumbersome form factor," said Forrester VP, Research Director Mike Proulx.

But, he added, "the onus is on Meta to convince the vast majority of people who don't own AI glasses that the benefits outweigh the cost."

The company said it does not discuss sales information but it is understood to have sold around two million pairs of smart glasses since it entered the market in 2023.

The Display model will be available this month and sell for $799 (£586), hundreds of dollars more than Meta's current smart glasses.

Leo Gebbie of CCS Insight said he is sceptical that it will gain as much traction as Meta's other smart glass models.

"The Ray-Bans have done well because they're easy to use, inconspicuous and relatively affordable," Mr Gebbie said.

Meta is currently in the middle of a massive spending spree as it bolsters its AI operations.

Mr Zuckerberg said in July that the company would spend hundreds of billions of dollars on building sprawling AI data centres in the US.

One of the sites is expected to cover an area that is nearly the size of Manhattan.

That AI infrastructure investment is complemented by huge spending on hiring top talent away from rival companies.

Meta has said it would develop what it called "superintelligence," AI technology that can out-think human beings.

Facebook owner Meta unveils new range of AI-powered smart glasses