A series of cases involving exam cheating with AI glasses in South Korea has universities and schools scrambling to rein in the use of the technology.

As South Korea’s most important academic exam, the Suneung approaches, schools are testing new methods to detect and ban smart glasses in exam halls.

Beyond exam cheating, these devices also raise serious privacy and surveillance concerns. How have tech companies been responding to accusations that smart glasses are used to film others, particularly women, without their consent? As smart glasses become more accessible, and the technology becomes more ubiquitous, how can they be regulated?

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC News journalist Sophie Jeong, and Dr Thomas Corbin, a professor from Deakin University, who researches university education in a world shaped by artificial intelligence.

Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt

Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

Kylian Mbappé has scored an own goal in China with an indirect joking reference to national political hero Mao Zedong as a “dictator”. So will a flurry of apologies from him, his club and the Spanish La Liga league be enough to defuse a costly backlash in China? In a video that went viral, the Real Madrid star who is nicknamed ‘The Dictator’ for his dominant presence on and off the field was asked about his favourite meme. His reference to one with a “Chinese dictator”, presumed to refer to the founding leader of Communist China Mao Zedong, prompted sponsors to dump him and China to pull the La Liga from being shown in the country. But he’s hardly the first foreign star who has apologised. Previous big names who have said sorry include wrestler and actor John Cena, fashion designers Dolce and Gabbana and model Gigi Hadid. Their offences in the eyes of the Chinese state have varied - from referring to the self-ruled island Taiwan as a ‘country’ to making content deemed racially or culturally insensitive. So why do celebrities and big brands keep falling foul of China’s political red lines, and what does it say about China’s influence over global business? On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by BBC Beijing correspondent Stephen McDonell and China Sports Insider founder Mark Dreyer. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, please search Asia Specific in YouTube.

Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

Japan has been ranked the lowest in East and South East Asia for gender equality in a major annual index, even though the country now has a female Prime Minister.

Japan ranked 117th out of 145 countries in the World Economic Forum’s latest gender gap index, lagging behind regional neighbours China and South Korea.

One of the WEF’s key considerations is female political representation, but the historic rise of the country’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over the past year has done little to move Japan’s ranking.

Recently Takaichi stirred debate by saying she spends three to four more hours a day than her male predecessors on housework and make-up, drawing criticism that she is reinforcing expectations that women should do more domestic duties.

So is Japan’s first female prime minister a trailblazer for women, or a reminder of how deep traditional expectations run?

On this episode of Asia Specific podcast, host Mariko Oi is joined by Tokyo local councillor Risa Kamio to alongside the Editor of the podcast Bill Birtles.

Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt

Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk