TL;DR
WIRED senior writer Will Knight argues that conversational AI models cycle quickly: GPT-5 had major traction in 2025, but attention is shifting to a model called Qwen for 2026. A visit to a Chinese hardware startup showed how new models are being woven into consumer devices like smart glasses.
What happened
In a year that saw rapid change across conversational AI, Will Knight’s look at the landscape concludes that GPT-5’s prominence in 2025 may be short-lived as industry attention turns toward a model called Qwen in 2026. Knight recounts a visit to Rokid’s headquarters in Hangzhou, where engineers demoed prototype smart glasses that translated spoken Mandarin into English and displayed the transcription on a tiny translucent screen above the wearer’s eye. The piece frames these developments within a broader pattern of fast turnover among chatbots and large language models, citing earlier exits like Llama as context for how quickly the field evolves. Knight’s piece was published by WIRED on December 27, 2025, and treats Qwen as the next notable entrant poised to shape the coming year in AI, while emphasizing the fluidity and short product cycles in the chatbot space.
Why it matters
- Rapid model turnover means businesses and developers must adapt quickly to new capabilities and formats.
- Integration of advanced language models into consumer hardware (for example, translation-capable smart glasses) demonstrates shifting use cases beyond text-only interfaces.
- A changing roster of dominant models could influence which platforms, APIs, and ecosystems attract investment and talent.
- Fast-moving trends in chatbots complicate forecasting, procurement, and regulation for governments, companies, and users.
Key facts
- The article is by Will Knight and published in WIRED on December 27, 2025.
- The headline frames GPT-5 as a major presence in 2025 and positions Qwen as a likely focus for 2026.
- Knight visited Rokid’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China, and observed a prototype smart-glasses demo.
- Rokid’s device translated spoken Mandarin into English and displayed the transcription on a small translucent screen above the right eye.
- The article places current developments in chatbots in the context of rapid turnover in the AI model ecosystem, referencing earlier entrants such as Llama.
- The piece emphasizes how quickly chatbots and GPT-style models can rise and fall in prominence.
What to watch next
- Qwen’s public releases, capabilities, and adoption in 2026 — the article singles it out as the next model to watch.
- How companies incorporate language models into consumer devices like translation-capable smart glasses; Rokid’s prototype is an example.
- Which firms, standards, or platforms gain dominant positions as the model landscape shifts (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Chatbot: A software application designed to simulate conversation with human users, often using natural language processing.
- Large language model (LLM): A machine learning model trained on large amounts of text to predict and generate human-like language.
- Prototype: An early working model of a device or system used to test concepts and demonstrate capabilities.
- Transcription: The conversion of spoken words into written text, often performed by speech-recognition software.
Reader FAQ
Is Qwen produced by a specific company?
Not confirmed in the source.
Does the article say GPT-5 will be discontinued?
Not confirmed in the source; the piece describes shifting attention rather than formal discontinuation.
What did Rokid demonstrate?
Rokid showed prototype smart glasses that translated spoken Mandarin into English and displayed the transcription on a translucent screen above the wearer’s eye.
Are chatbots expected to keep changing quickly?
Yes. The article frames chatbots and GPT-style models as moving rapidly in and out of prominence.
WILL KNIGHT BUSINESS DEC 27, 2025 6:00 AM So Long, GPT-5. Hello, Qwen In the AI boom, chatbots and GPTs come and go quickly. (Remember Llama?) GPT-5 had a big…
Sources
- So Long, GPT-5. Hello, Qwen
- 👀 ChatGPT 4 was updated to ChatGPT 5. And with the update …
- OpenAI Launches GPT-5.2 with Enhanced Capabilities | ai.jp.net
- AI 2026: Alibaba's Qwen Seeks to Encourage AI Adoption
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