Sean Craig

Contributing Writer

With the new Meta AI glasses starting to gain popularity, some questions have been brought up regarding their invasion of privacy. Some newer models of the glasses have cameras built into them which may cause some privacy concerns from those against the glasses and their use on campus.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, the UK has already begun banning these kinds of glasses in many public areas with schools included. This ban could become a possibility here in America.

“The Meta glasses actually seem pretty useful,” says Lucas Sarnella a sophomore education major, “my brother has a pair and he really seems to like them.” While walking around ESU, it seems that not many students wear or utilize the glasses but those that do seem to have positive opinions of them.

Another student, Cayden Vishnesky, says that they are great for listening to music and making videos for social media but do not help with the current feeling of AI in his generation. Vishnesky, along with many others, are concerned with the growing reliance on AI that companies like Meta are beginning to show.

With recent versions of the glasses, Meta is removing the cameras with the new Ray-Ban Audio glasses. According to Meta, these glasses will just be able to play music, make phone calls and will have no camera installed for recording.

“Technology cuts both ways,” says history professor, John Zugarek, on the glasses applications in the classroom, “Sometimes it’s useful, sometimes it’s not.” When imagining these glasses being used in the classroom, professors need to consider their possible advantages and disadvantages.

While the glasses and their popularity may not have necessarily reached ESU’s grounds yet, they are growing in popularity and could potentially have an impact on education. With audio and video both being able to be recorded, students could discreetly record class lectures.

According to CBS, other schools are beginning to take action, with the Cambridge School committee issuing a ban of the glasses on all school properties.

As of now ESU has no explicit policy regarding smart glasses, however the schools Acceptable Use of Technology policy dictates many of the issues regarding privacy and technology in the classrooms and on campus. This policy seems to be the only form of restriction the school has on smart glasses for now.