Samsung Electronics is preparing to launch its artificial intelligence (AI) glasses in the second half of the year, focusing on safety measures to prevent privacy violations and misuse. As the latest AI glasses have advanced to the point where they are difficult to distinguish from regular eyewear, concerns about covert recording and cheating during exams have emerged, making safety a key priority.
According to industry sources on August 12, about 10% of the patents Samsung has secured during the development of its AI glasses relate to privacy and misuse prevention technologies. The company is applying various technologies to the Android XR (extended reality) based AI glasses it is developing in collaboration with Google. These include a white LED feature that alerts others when recording is taking place, as well as a 'wear detection' function that determines whether the glasses are being worn properly.
When the recording function is activated, an external LED lights up, allowing those nearby to be aware of the recording. The internal LED also enables the wearer to confirm the operational status. Notably, if the AI glasses are removed and placed on clothing or a table, the recording function is disabled to prevent unauthorized use.
The design also accounts for attempts to intentionally disable safety features. If someone covers the LED with tape or their hand, the device can assess the level of obstruction and will stop functioning if it exceeds a certain threshold. The system is also designed to limit recording capabilities if the LED is damaged or if tampering is detected.
Samsung operates a dedicated team focused on privacy and misuse prevention technologies. Engineers within the XR development team are researching potential misuse scenarios and developing strategies to mitigate them from the design phase.
The emphasis on safety from the product development stage is crucial, as AI glasses pose a greater risk of privacy invasion compared to existing smart devices. With cameras, sensors, and microphones combined with generative AI, these glasses can naturally collect and analyze the scenes and information around the user. Unlike taking photos with a smartphone, it is difficult for others to immediately notice when recording is happening, raising significant concerns about third-party privacy as the technology becomes more widespread.
In anticipation of the commercialization of AI glasses, the government is also taking steps to address these issues. The Personal Information Protection Commission recently met with Samsung representatives to discuss privacy protection measures for the AI glasses, emphasizing the need to implement 'Privacy by Design' principles from the development stage to minimize privacy invasion risks. They specifically called for the inclusion of notification devices, such as lights or sounds, to alert others when the wearer is capturing images or collecting information.
There have been several instances of AI glasses being used for cheating in exams. In May, three candidates wearing AI glasses were caught during the Electrical Industry and Fire Safety Engineer exams, followed by two more during the TOEIC test. The Ministry of Education has advised local education offices to include AI glasses in the list of prohibited items in exam venues and to closely monitor candidates for any suspicious behavior.
Regarding the misuse of AI glasses, Choi Jae-in, Vice President and head of the XR development team at Samsung Electronics, stated at the recent Galaxy Unpacked event, "Like a sword and shield, as the number of users increases, various issues may arise, so we must continue to work on solutions. We are constantly researching how to design features that can prevent misuse when certain conditions are met."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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