[Young Journalist Siyeon Kim] As the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) approaches, public interest in smart glasses equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology is growing. In particular, as incidents of students using smart glasses to cheat have occurred one after another, concerns over examination supervision and countermeasures are increasing. As a result, manufacturers of AI-powered glasses, including Meta, Samsung, and Google, are also becoming increasingly concerned.

With the CSAT scheduled to take place on November 19, AI-powered glasses have become the center of controversy. Last month, several incidents involving students using AI glasses to cheat during university examinations were reported. On October 10, Yonsei University caught a student wearing smart glasses during an essay-based admission examination. On November 3, the University of Seoul also discovered a student wearing smart glasses during an examination. The University of Seoul subsequently filed a police complaint against two individuals on charges of obstruction of business related to cheating using smart glasses.

Following these incidents, the Ministry of Education announced a plan last month to actively respond to cheating involving smart glasses, including pursuing criminal penalties against those who use such devices to cheat. The plan, titled “Response Measures Against Cheating Using Smart Glasses in the CSAT,” outlines the government's approach to addressing the issue. The Ministry of Education also recommended that universities take measures against students caught cheating during university entrance examinations, similar to the measures applied to CSAT cheating cases.

Smart glasses have become a burden for both examination supervisors and students. Teachers assigned as examination supervisors are concerned about potential complaints arising during the process of identifying and checking devices. Meanwhile, some students are preparing contact lenses instead of wearing their usual glasses in order to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

The education authorities announced that they would assign one dedicated staff member to each examination center to identify smart glasses and reduce the burden on supervisors. Training sessions covering identification methods and examination supervision procedures are scheduled to take place on the day before the CSAT. In addition, the authorities are discussing specific operational guidelines for these dedicated staff members and exploring ways to reduce the workload of examination supervisors.

AI smart glasses that appeared during a parliamentary audit. A person wearing a sticker on their glasses to conceal the camera while taking photographs using AI smart glasses is being introduced. [Photo: Yonhap News Agency]

Smart glasses are rapidly growing in popularity as global technology companies collaborate with eyewear manufacturers to develop and introduce new products. Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is currently the most prominent company in this market. Through its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, which owns internationally recognized eyewear brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley, Meta is regarded as a leading company that has successfully brought AI smart glasses into the mainstream market.

The AI smart glasses that appeared during last month's parliamentary audit were also part of the Ray-Ban Meta series, developed through a collaboration between Meta and EssilorLuxottica.

Samsung and Google have also entered the AI smart glasses ecosystem. Based on Google's Android XR (Extended Reality) platform and Gemini AI, the companies are collaborating with eyewear brands such as Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to introduce AI-powered glasses, including Samsung's Galaxy Glasses. These products are gradually gaining attention among users both in South Korea and overseas.

Amazon has also launched an affordable smart glasses product called Amazon Echo Frames. The product excludes cameras and heavy displays, instead focusing on integration with Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant, and audio features. It is known as a lightweight and convenient product that users can wear comfortably.

Meanwhile, the Personal Information Protection Commission reportedly met with Samsung Electronics to discuss measures to prevent cheating and illegal filming. The commission is said to have requested the application of various safety features, including LED indicator lights, to prevent such incidents.

▶원문 기사: '수능' AI 안경 부정행위 경보에 메타·삼성·구글도 긴장   (이코노미스트, 2026. 11. 7)

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