AI-powered translation glasses unlock powerful campus access

Pusan National University is piloting AI-powered translation glasses that display real-time subtitles of Korean-language lectures, aiming to reduce language barriers for international students. As a result, students can follow classes more easily, grasp specialised terminology, and engage more fully without the constant risk of missing key points.

In addition to academic settings, the technology is improving communication across campus life. For example, university staff, including counsellors, report that the glasses enable more natural, face-to-face conversations with foreign students, rather than relying on phones or other intermediary devices for translation.

Moreover, the pilot supports a broader push to internationalise the campus through AI-based multilingual services, including translated course syllabi and websites, with wider rollout to follow pending evaluation.

At the same time, the company behind the glasses is looking to expand adoption beyond Busan. If deployed more widely, the technology could influence higher education policies by easing language requirements and helping universities attract more international students, particularly as domestic enrolment declines.

However, several practical challenges remain. While translation accuracy is already high, issues such as device weight and battery life have prompted the development of lighter models. As the system continues to be refined and trained on academic vocabulary, its reliability and usability are expected to improve further.

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