AI smart glasses as assistive technology

However, well publicised misuse of smart glasses by others has led to public concern, with knock-on negative effects for those using them as an assistive tool.

Michael Wordingham, Head of Policy, said:

“AI Smart Glasses can be a powerful assistive tool, but it’s vital that privacy and consent are built into their manufacture and use. People should be able to easily recognise when recording is taking place, whether they are wearing the device themselves, or interacting with someone who is.

“At the same time, we need technology companies to be clear about what data is collected, how it is used, where it is stored, and when it is deleted.

“With smart glasses becoming much more common, Government and tech companies urgently need to put in place a robust and comprehensive regulatory framework. That framework needs to include safeguards that protect people’s privacy without compromising the beneficial accessibility features of AI smart glasses for blind and partially sighted people.

“Technology companies must involve blind and partially sighted people throughout the design, testing and future updates to smart glasses, and they need to make sure that devices, companion apps, privacy controls and customer support are, and remain, accessible.”

AI smart glasses have the potential to increase independence for blind and partially sighted people by providing hands-free access to information, text, object recognition, navigation and descriptions of their surroundings. They can already, in the case of Meta glasses, offer hands-free video connections to remote sighted assistants.

This technology can help with common daily tasks like browsing restaurant menus, reading street signs, or simply describing scenery to enable the person to become more aware of their surroundings.

However, the glasses can have the ability to live stream and record interactions with people. Some users have been sharing this material on social media, leading to breaches of privacy and the harassment of women and girls, for instance. This is clearly unacceptable.

As a result, we’re aware of blind and partially sighted people who are concerned about other people becoming suspicious or angry with them if they wear smart glasses, because they do not understand that some people are using them only as an assistive tool.

This is exacerbated by the fact that it will often not be obvious that the blind or partially sighted wearer of smart glasses has sight loss. The worry that there will be a backlash against users is putting off some blind and partially sighted people from wearing them. For those who have a guide dog, the feeling of being unwelcome may be all too often familiar because of ongoing – and illegal - discrimination against dog guides in breach of the Equality Act.

The misuse of smart glasses has led to some venues or service providers banning their use on their property. Blanket bans risk excluding blind and partially sighted people who use AI smart glasses as an accessibility tool. Venues and service providers need to take an inclusive, proportionate approach that protects privacy while enabling assistive technology like AI smart glasses as a reasonable adjustment.

Technology has enormous power to open up opportunity, build inclusion and foster a stronger sense of belonging. But while innovations like smart glasses are a welcome step forward, they can't mask the reality that too much of the world remains difficult to navigate and inaccessible for blind and partially sighted people.

RNIB research conducted in 2023 found 28 per cent of blind and partially sighted people never used the internet or did not have access to it, in comparison to 4 per cent of non-disabled people. This rises to 47 per cent of blind and partially sighted people aged 75 years and over. More than half of blind and partially sighted people are late adopters of new technology, and some are concerned that as technology evolves, accessibility will not evolve with it.

Mike Wordingham, Head of Policy, said:

"RNIB will be active in engaging and influencing the government and technology companies to make sure that accessibility features which enhance the independence of blind and partially sighted people are implemented in a way that protects the public and respects privacy.

"With a Digital Inclusion Action Plan due from government this autumn , and a consultation expected on assistive technology in the months ahead, we’ll be speaking up for blind and partially sighted people on these vital areas of technology, privacy and regulation.”