"AI Developed in Japan to Identify Students Dozing in Class Sparks 'Controversy'"

Using Thermal Imaging and AI Technology... Over 90% Probability
"Terrifying Technology Controlling Humans" Faces Criticism

An artificial intelligence (AI) device that detects students dozing off during class has been developed in Japan, attracting attention. However, there are also voices expressing concerns that such equipment could be harmful to youth education.

According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 6th, researchers at Osaka Kyoiku University, in collaboration with Kansai Electric Industry, an energy company headquartered in Higashi-Osaka, have developed this device combining AI and thermal imaging technology.

According to the report, researchers at the Center for Educational Innovation Design at Osaka Kyoiku University input images of people in various postures into the AI system.

This device recognizes the posture of the subject using thermal imaging technology and determines whether a student is dozing off based on the input image data. In fact, it is known that when deployed in classrooms, this device identified dozing students with over 90% accuracy.

Thermal imaging screen of equipment developed by Osaka Kyoiku University [Image source=Provided by Osaka Kyoiku University]

The researchers said, “This device was designed to raise awareness among students who are dozing off and to increase students’ participation in class,” adding, “It will reduce the burden on teachers who have to check the status of students one by one during class and enable more effective participation in lessons.”

However, concerns about AI controlling students are also significant. According to Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP), Izumi Tsuji, a sociology professor at Chuo University, criticized it as a “terrible idea,” saying, “This is a technology designed solely to control humans.”

In response, Associate Professor Kazuki Niwayama of Osaka Kyoiku University stated, “This system is not intended to monitor children but to ‘visualize’ what children are doing and help teachers improve educational techniques.”

Professor Fumio Nakaya of Osaka Kyoiku University also explained at a demonstration event of the device earlier this month, “Objective observation and recording are necessary to improve the quality of education,” adding, “The purpose of this research is to support teachers who have been observing students amid heavy workloads by utilizing modern technology.”

He further added, “Unlike regular camera footage, thermal images cannot identify individuals,” and “Even if thermal images taken inside the classroom are leaked externally, there should be no privacy issues.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.