Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 51716/22-27, whether any assessment has been made of the specific safeguarding risks arising from the use of AI-enabled and camera-equipped smart glasses in schools, early years providers, and any other educational settings within their remit attended by children.
Minister of Education: The Department considered a range of safeguarding issues as part of the development of its recently published Guidance on the Use of Mobile Phones in Schools and EOTAS Centres in Northern Ireland, including the risks associated with personal internet-enabled devices capable of recording, capturing or sharing images and other information.
As outlined in my response to AQW 51716/22-27, camera-enabled smart glasses and other discreet wearable recording devices fall within the category of “other similar devices” referenced in the guidance. Schools should therefore apply the same expectations and restrictions that apply to mobile phones, particularly in relation to safeguarding, privacy, the recording of pupils and staff, and the potential for images or information to be captured or shared without appropriate consent.
The increasing availability of AI-enabled and wearable technologies may present additional or evolving challenges. However, the principles underpinning the Department’s guidance are intended to be sufficiently broad to encompass emerging technologies of this nature and provide schools and EOTAS centres with flexibility to determine appropriate arrangements within their individual settings.
The Department will continue to keep developments in AI-enabled and wearable technologies under review, including any emerging safeguarding risks, and will consider whether these developments require further clarification or amendment of its guidance in the future.
ENDS
