(Broadcast October 9, 2026)
AI-equipped glasses developed by a Japanese company are a noteworthy technology capable of everything from searching to translation, but there are now movements to misuse this technology.

At a university in Guangdong Province, China, a student was found to have cheated using AI glasses, causing a major problem.

The problem highlighted in China is said to be impacting AI glasses development in Japan as well.

We investigated where the cutting edge technology that makes our lives more convenient is headed.

At an exhibition held in China, participants were wearing AI glasses equipped with artificial intelligence.

While the market is expanding, cheating using the latest technology is becoming a problem.

The location where the cheating using AI glasses was discovered was South China Agricultural University in Guangdong Province.

According to Chinese media, in July 2026, a male university student wore AI glasses costing approximately 70,000 yen (in Japanese currency) while taking his final exams.

These glasses reportedly allow users to take photos of exam questions by tapping the frame, and then, using an AI search function, the answers are displayed on the lenses in green text.

Approximately 10 minutes into the exam, a supervisor, suspicious of the glasses, pointed out, "There's something wrong with your glasses; you're going home!" This led to the discovery of the male university student's cheating.

At this university, multiple instances of cheating using AI glasses and similar devices were confirmed at other final exam venues, forcing the university to take measures such as banning the bringing in of electronic devices with communication or camera functions, including AI glasses and Bluetooth earphones.

In China, there are services that rent AI glasses for 5,000 yen for three days, with some manufacturers advertising their products with slogans like, "They can look up exam questions and provide answers."

However, comments on rental websites included, "Are they easy to get caught using during exams?" and "I don't recommend them. The lights come on."

According to one rental company, the peak order period is during university final exams.

Cheating using AI glasses and other devices has been occurring frequently at various university examination venues across China. Prior to the 2026 June national college entrance examination, "Gaokao," authorities issued a notice stating that bringing AI glasses or mobile phones into the examination hall, even if not used, would be considered cheating.

Could such misuse of AI glasses also occur in Japan?

We investigated the forefront of the domestic market.

We interviewed companies in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, known as the "city of glasses," about their AI glasses, called "SABERA."

Yuichiro Tanaka, CFO of jig.jp:
"As for AR glasses for general commercial use, we are the first Japanese company to offer this. Its key feature is that you can view what's displayed on the lenses with a single button press."

Weighing only 38 grams, it's as light as regular glasses, and by connecting it to a smartphone, digital information is displayed on the lenses.

What can you do with these glasses?

The built-in microphone picks up audio, and the AI ​​translates and transcribes it, which can then be viewed on the lenses.

While the device offers various functions, the developing company intentionally omitted a camera.

The reason for this is the risk of misuse.

Yuichiro Tanaka, CFO of jig.jp:
"With a camera, cheating is possible, and we were aware of that, not only in terms of privacy, but also in terms of potential misuse. Therefore, we aimed for the simplest form, one that anyone can use, and chose to omit the camera."

There have been cases in Japan in the past where cutting-edge technology has been misused.

In February 2024, a male high school senior taking the entrance exam for Waseda University was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of obstructing university operations by sending images of the exam questions taken with smart glasses to his smartphone and leaking them on social media.

Amidst the rapid global market expansion, developers have expressed concerns, stating, "Currently, there are no comprehensive regulations in Japan that apply to smart glasses in general. However, it would be good if laws and rules were established that allow everyone to use them safely. This would likely lead to the widespread adoption of smart glasses."


In China, regulations on eyeglasses are being tightened following a series of cheating incidents involving students.

According to Chinese media, in Guangdong Province, students are required to remove their glasses in front of surveillance cameras before entering examination halls for inspection by monitors.

Shanghai is requesting that examinees wearing glasses with frames cooperate with inspections.

Furthermore, Hebei Province is urging examinees who regularly use AI-powered glasses to prepare regular...