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Smart glasses banned from Welsh Parliament after ruling they could be used for speeches

Smart glasses banned from Welsh Parliament after ruling they could be used for speeches

The decision comes while a review of the use of the devices in the Senedd takes place.

The Senedd's presiding officer has in effect barred the use of smart glasses in the Welsh Parliament, days after it emerged he would allow them to be used as a teleprompter.

Huw Irranca-Davies had ruled that using them in such a way was OK - provided he was told first - but Members of the Senedd (MS) have now been told he "will not be considering any other requests" to use the devices.

Reform's Jason O'Connell made headlines earlier this year after using the glasses to help him make a speech.

O'Connell, whose glasses do not include a camera, said he had voluntarily agreed not to use his device until a review into using them on the Senedd estate ends.

O'Connell previously said he had started using glasses as a teleprompter to improve his speaking skills and to avoid looking down at his notes.

A letter from Irranca-Davies from 20 October, published in committee papers last week, said he had "determined that members may use smart glasses as a teleprompter in the chamber, provided that they give me advance notice".

On Tuesday, an official working for the presiding officer told MSs that "he will not be considering any other requests to use AI-equipped glasses in the Siambr until the review has reported".

In brief

The Senedd's presiding officer has in effect barred the use of smart glasses in the Welsh Parliament, days after it emerged he would allow them to be used as a teleprompter. Reform's Jason O'Connell made headlines earlier this year after using the glasses to help him make a speech. O'Connell, whose glasses do not include a camera, said he had voluntarily agreed not to use his device until a review into using them on the Senedd estate ends.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to BBC News — Politics. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at BBC News — Politics ↗

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