As Nearly 13 Million Students Sit for the Nation’s Defining Exam, Authorities Deploy New Security Measures

BEIJING, China — In a sign of how rapidly artificial intelligence and wearable technology are reshaping daily life in China, education authorities across the country are subjecting students’ eyeglasses to security inspections before they enter examination halls for this year’s national college entrance examination, the Gaokao.

The unprecedented scrutiny reflects growing concerns that smart glasses — once a niche gadget but now increasingly marketed by major Chinese technology companies — could become a sophisticated tool for cheating in one of the world’s most competitive academic tests. Authorities have warned that any device capable of transmitting or receiving information, including smart glasses, smartwatches and mobile phones, will be treated as a cheating device regardless of whether it is actually used.

The Gaokao, which begins on June 7, remains a defining milestone for Chinese families. This year, 12.9 million students have registered for the examination, according to the Ministry of Education. While still enormous, the figure marks the second consecutive annual decline, reflecting demographic changes and a growing number of students choosing vocational education over traditional university pathways.

From Mobile Phones to AI-Powered Eyewear

In provinces including Guangdong, Hebei, Guizhou, Fujian, Hubei and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, students wearing glasses are being required to remove them during security screening for visual inspection by invigilators, often under video surveillance. Candidates who normally use smart glasses have been instructed to switch to conventional prescription eyewear before entering examination venues.

The measures underscore how exam security has evolved alongside consumer technology. Modern smart glasses can incorporate cameras, microphones, wireless connectivity and AI-powered voice assistants, creating new challenges for authorities seeking to preserve the integrity of the exam. Chinese technology giants have invested heavily in the sector, viewing wearable devices as a potential successor to smartphones. Government subsidies introduced earlier this year even expanded to include smart glasses, helping accelerate adoption among consumers.

Education officials cite past incidents as justification for the tougher rules. In one widely publicized 2022 case, a student circumvented security procedures, brought a mobile phone into an examination hall, photographed exam questions and attempted to solicit answers through an online chat group before being detected by authorities.

A National Effort to Protect Educational Fairness

The campaign against high-tech cheating extends well beyond eyewear inspections. Across China, examination centers have installed intelligent security gates, upgraded surveillance systems and expanded manual screening procedures. Authorities are also conducting nationwide crackdowns on the sale of illicit cheating devices, exam impersonation schemes and online fraud targeting students and parents.

The heightened vigilance mirrors a broader global debate over the impact of AI on education. Universities and examination boards from Europe to North America have been grappling with how to prevent students from using generative AI systems during assessments. China’s response has become increasingly comprehensive, combining physical security, digital monitoring and legal penalties. Previous reporting has shown that Chinese technology companies have even temporarily restricted certain AI-powered features during examination periods to reduce opportunities for academic misconduct.

A Test of More Than Academic Knowledge

The security measures arrive at a moment of growing anxiety among Chinese students and their families. Although participation has declined slightly, competition remains intense. The exam takes place against a backdrop of a challenging labor market, with youth unemployment remaining elevated and a record number of university graduates entering the workforce this summer. Those pressures have led some students to reconsider the value of a traditional academic path, contributing to increased interest in vocational education and technical training programs.

For many students, however, the Gaokao remains the most important examination of their lives — a gateway to elite universities, social mobility and future career opportunities. As millions file into examination halls this weekend, they will do so under some of the most technologically sophisticated security measures ever deployed for the test.

The message from authorities is unmistakable: in the age of artificial intelligence, even a pair of glasses can no longer be taken at face value.