Students rent AI smart glasses to outsmart exams in China

Modern models from Xiaomi and Alibaba resemble ordinary eyewear, hard to detect.

While artificial intelligence has profoundly enhanced students’ capacity for learning, it has concurrently facilitated new avenues for academic dishonesty an emerging phenomenon among Chinese university students.

Reports indicate that students are increasingly renting AI-enabled smart glasses to gain an advantage in examinations. According to Chinese media, these devices are available for 40–60 yuan ($6–$9) per day, allowing students to navigate challenging exams more effectively.

Although not widely adopted for everyday use, smart glasses have been commercially available for several years. A recent investigation by Rest of the World highlights the popularity of AI-integrated smart glasses, equipped with sophisticated large language models, among students seeking to circumvent academic regulations.

These devices incorporate cameras and audio functionality to scan exam content and discreetly deliver answers via augmented reality.

Earlier iterations of smart glasses were cumbersome and uncomfortable, limiting their practicality. However, contemporary models from technology giants such as Xiaomi and Alibaba are lightweight, sleek, and virtually indistinguishable from conventional eyewear, rendering detection challenging.

In a controlled experiment conducted by researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, a student wearing AI-powered smart glasses scored an impressive 92.5 out of 100, placing among the top five of 100 participants, compared to a cohort average of 72.

Given the high cost of these devices ranging from $270 to over $1,000 purchasing them solely for examination purposes is economically impractical.

Consequently, rental platforms have emerged in China, offering these smart glasses for 40–80 yuan ($6–$12) per day, catering to students seeking temporary access.