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From Wearables to AI: Matt Maher Decodes the Next Wave of Shopping

📍New York, US

Technology never stands still, and few people understand that better than Matt Maher, founder of M7 Innovations. Known for his forward-thinking approach to emerging tech, Maher is constantly exploring how innovation, retail, and consumer behavior intersect. Surrounded by gadgets like Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, Snap Spectacles, and the Apple Vision Pro, he examined how these devices are shaping the next evolution of shopping and discovery. Each product offered a glimpse into how artificial intelligence, data, and design are converging to create more intuitive and connected experiences for consumers.

Maher believes that true innovation is not about chasing every new technology but about finding the signal within the noise. He describes much of today’s AI landscape as “solutions looking for problems,” yet he points out that the few meaningful advancements have the power to redefine how people live and shop. Among the most promising developments is agentic browsing, where AI systems such as OpenAI’s Atlas or Perplexity’s Comet navigate the web, compare options, and even make purchases on behalf of users. The concept is still developing, but it offers a preview of a future where automation and convenience shape decisions in the background of daily life.

He also highlights how AI is quietly rewriting the rules of digital discovery. Traditional SEO is giving way to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), where algorithms value credibility and context over keywords and paid placements. Platforms like Reddit and Wikipedia have become essential data sources for large language models because they reflect authentic human input. In Maher’s view, this shift signals a fundamental change in how brands earn visibility. “Paid media is invisible in a zero-click world,” he explains, underscoring the growing importance of authority and trust over advertising spend.

The gadgets on the table symbolized how technology is bridging the gap between physical and digital retail. Devices such as Meta’s Ray-Bans and Apple’s Vision Pro are paving the way for contextual commerce, a world where consumers can access information, reviews, and purchase options directly through their line of sight. Maher sees these tools as the foundation of a new kind of retail experience—one that is personalized, seamless, and increasingly invisible. The challenge for brands is to keep the human element alive while embracing the technologies that are quietly reshaping how people discover and connect with products.

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