South Korea plans to introduce criminal penalties for students caught using artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses to cheat in examinations, as authorities move to address the growing misuse of wearable technology in academic assessments.
An education ministry official, Lee Joon-hyuk, disclosed the proposed measures to AFP on Friday, saying the government would seek criminal charges against students found cheating with the devices.
The proposed changes will also increase the period during which offenders are barred from retaking examinations from the current one year to three years.
Government Targets AI-Powered Exam Cheating
Smart glasses are wearable devices that allow users to take photographs and record videos, while some models also provide access to AI assistants and other digital features.
Although their global popularity is growing, the technology has raised concerns about privacy, unauthorised recording and its potential use to gain unfair advantages during examinations.
South Korea’s decision follows reports that three students were caught wearing or possessing smart glasses during institution-administered essay examinations at universities in Seoul.
The government intends to strengthen existing examination regulations to address the emerging challenge.
However, the proposed penalties are unlikely to apply to next month’s national university entrance examination because there is insufficient time to amend the relevant laws before the test.
Lee said the government would work towards implementing the changes from next year’s examination.
Strict Measures for National University Entrance Examination
The country’s highly competitive university entrance examination, known as the Suneung, plays a major role in determining admission into leading universities.
The examination is widely regarded as an important gateway to future employment opportunities, economic security and social advancement.
The intense pressure associated with academic performance in South Korea has also been linked to concerns about teenage depression and suicide rates.
Authorities are therefore seeking to protect the integrity of examinations as new technologies create additional opportunities for academic misconduct.
AI Smart Glasses Raise Global Education Concerns
South Korea is not alone in confronting the challenge of AI-enabled cheating.
In Taiwan, a candidate sitting an entrance examination at the prestigious National Taiwan University in Taipei was reportedly disqualified during the summer after being caught using AI smart glasses to cheat.
The developments highlight the growing challenge facing educational institutions as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everyday devices.
For schools, universities and examination authorities worldwide, the issue raises important questions about examination security, responsible technology use and the need to update academic integrity policies to address emerging digital tools.
