Artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses are emerging as a new challenge for schools and examination authorities, particularly in East Asia, where academic performance often plays a decisive role in determining future career prospects and social standing.

CNN reported that while cheating in examinations has existed for generations, from copying answers from classmates to hiding notes on paper slips, advances in wearable technology have introduced more sophisticated methods.

Students are increasingly using AI-enabled smart glasses to gain an advantage during tests, prompting concerns among educators and regulators.

South Korea recently recorded two cases involving candidates taking an English proficiency examination, the results of which are frequently used by employers during recruitment. Both candidates were caught using smart glasses during the test.

A similar incident occurred in Taiwan, where a student taking an entrance examination for a prestigious medical school was found wearing smart glasses.

Invigilators became suspicious after noticing unusual eye movements and later discovered that the device’s frame was generating heat.

Although the use of smart glasses for cheating is not entirely new, experts say the growing accessibility, affordability and sophistication of AI-powered wearables are forcing education systems to rethink how students are taught and assessed.

The technology has also renewed debates over balancing the benefits of AI-assisted learning against the risks of academic dishonesty.

Authorities in several countries have already begun tightening examination procedures.

During China’s highly competitive national college entrance examination earlier this month, which attracts more than 10 million candidates annually, officials required all glasses to undergo inspection.

In the United Kingdom, the head of England’s examinations regulator recently warned that AI-enabled glasses and devices such as hidden earpieces could increase cheating risks.

The incidents in South Korea marked the country’s first publicly reported cases involving AI smart glasses.

Following the discoveries, the body responsible for administering South Korea’s university entrance examination told CNN that it is discussing additional preventive measures with the Education Ministry and regional education authorities. Electronic devices, including smart glasses, are already prohibited in examination halls.

Meanwhile, the Taiwanese university involved in the medical school entrance examination case is reviewing its regulations and procedures regarding AI-enabled eyewear during tests.

Experts, however, believe the reported cases may represent only a fraction of the actual problem.

“If we’re seeing a few cases being reported, we’re seeing a lot more cases not being reported,” said Thomas Corbin, lecturer at Deakin University in Australia, who has conducted research around the usage of AI-powered glasses and other smart devices in academic assessment.

Rapid advances in AI technology are making smart glasses increasingly discreet and capable of operating with minimal external support. This has raised concerns not only about maintaining exam integrity but also about potential privacy implications.

The devices are quickly gaining popularity beyond niche technology circles. US technology company Meta introduced its first AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses in late 2023 and has since expanded the product line. More than seven million pairs were reportedly sold last year alone.

“Wearable AI is as much of a challenge to exams as ChatGPT was to essays in 2022 and I just don’t think there is any real way that we can reliably have exam practices moving forward,” Corbin said.

At the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Assistant Professor Meng Zili became interested in the issue after noticing a student wearing fashionable glasses during an examination.

As a researcher involved in AI glasses development, the sight immediately caught his attention.

Although the student’s glasses were ultimately found to be ordinary, the experience inspired Meng to conduct an experiment using commercially available AI glasses during an undergraduate electrical engineering examination.

The findings were remarkable. The glasses were able to capture questions simply by looking at the exam paper, send them to an AI large language model and display generated answers directly on the lenses.

According to Meng, the AI-assisted performance ranked among the top five scores in a class of more than 100 students, significantly outperforming the class average score of 72.

“After conducting the experiment, it really raises the question of how much knowledge students actually need to memorize for exams, versus whether we should allow them to use AI during assessment, given what AI is now capable of,” Meng said.

Meng’s colleague, electrical engineering professor Zhang Jun, said educators are struggling to keep pace with the speed of technological change.

“The real question is how quickly we can rethink and adapt our education system — how we change the way we teach, and how we evaluate students,” he said.

Despite the disruption AI may cause to traditional educational practices, some experts argue that the technology should be embraced rather than rejected.

Kong Siu Cheung, a professor and director of the AI and Digital Competence Education Center at the Education University of Hong Kong, said education systems should prioritize developing critical thinking and self-awareness skills to prevent excessive dependence on AI.

“We should use technology. We should use AI. We should not just say avoid it, stop using it… The bottom line is: don’t outsource your thinking capability,” he added.