A Reform UK member of the Senedd, Jason O’Connell, has been accused of using AI‑enabled “smart glasses” to assist a speech in the chamber, an incident that has rekindled debate over whether such devices should be barred from parliamentary proceedings.
During a five‑minute address arguing for the abolition of 20mph traffic zones, O’Connell delivered a string of precise statistics without looking at his notes. Observers noted periodic flashing in his spectacles as he spoke. He said: “Cardiff reviewed 192 roads, following 933 requests, and only four routes have returned to 30mph,” and criticised the policy as “£38.3m wasted to implement this policy and up to £8.9bn in an act of economic self‑harm.”
The suspected use of the glasses has prompted renewed calls for a ban on AI‑assisted devices in Westminster and other legislative chambers. Critics say such technology could give speakers an unfair advantage, blur the line between prepared and assisted speech, and raise questions about transparency and accountability during debates.
Supporters of allowing new technologies argue that advances can assist accessibility for elected officials who need promptings or real‑time information. The episode in the Senedd, however, has underscored the lack of clear, uniform rules across parliamentary bodies on the use of devices that can display or feed information to wearers during formal proceedings.
Parliaments and assemblies across the UK and beyond are increasingly confronting how to regulate emerging AI‑enabled tools. The incident involving O’Connell is likely to add momentum to calls for explicit guidance or restrictions on the in‑chamber use of smart eyewear and similar devices, as lawmakers weigh issues of fairness, transparency and the integrity of debate.