Key facts
- Smart glasses used by a Reform UK politician displayed teleprompter text during a speech.
- Liberal Democrats are calling for a ban on smart glasses in the UK Parliament.
- Concerns include AI-enabled debates and discreet recording capabilities of smart glasses.
- Parliament is reviewing its policy on wearable technology, including smart glasses.
Jason O’Connell, a Reform UK Senedd member, delivered a speech packed with statistics, leading to speculation he used smart glasses with a teleprompter function. The incident has prompted calls for a ban on such devices in the UK Parliament, with the Liberal Democrats writing to Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to urge action. They warned that the increasing use of AI-enabled smart glasses could lead to debates being "managed" and pose risks to privacy and security due to their discreet recording capabilities. A UK parliament spokesperson confirmed that policies on camera-equipped smart glasses and other wearable technology are under review to balance security, privacy, and accessibility.