Timothy O’Neil-Dunne gets excited about an experimental project called I-XRAY which removes the screen and could potentially change the human-machine interface like nothing we’ve yet seen. He also examines its possible applications for society and travel and how to mitigate privacy concerns.
Many people are working on trying to adapt “AI” into their world. The technology is a big leap forward. But not just in the faster and better mode but an actual change. Let me introduce you to i-xray. A whole different mindset. And there is a lot here for travel. So, let’s dive in.
First please watch this video to get a sense of how the technology works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHrSXe1cElI
The video says, “this is an experiment and personal project by builders: AnhPhu Nguyen & Caine Ardayfio”. In this document, they say, “Initially started as a side project, I-XRAY quickly highlighted significant privacy concerns. The purpose of building this tool is not for misuse, and we are not releasing it. Our goal is to demonstrate the current capabilities of smart glasses, face search engines, LLMs, and public databases, raising awareness that extracting someone’s home address and other personal details from just their face on the street is possible today.”
For all you members of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), I-XRAY is basically a real but early version of Iron Man’s AI co-pilot. Yes – this is a key part of JARVIS. (Obviously not GDPR compliant!)
This technology demonstrator called I-XRAY captures images of people and runs them through a publicly accessible facial recognition search site (PimEyes). That in of itself is pretty scary but let’s keep on.
After identifying the person, their programme & LLMs compile the person’s information and send it back. Data included name, address, bio, and even more private data like the social security number. It’s still a bit slow as they are using Meta’s Wayfarer first version.
Pretty much everyone’s worst data security’s nightmare. Right?
The concept of I-XRAY technology has massive implications, both thrilling and unsettling. Imagine a world where this technology could “see” through the surface layer of reality, offering insights into people, objects, and environments around us in real-time. The concerns are immediate and obvious: privacy erosion, misuse for surveillance, and a chilling effect on social interactions.
Yet, as with all technologies, there’s a way to explore the positive side of the equation without descending into dystopian outcomes. And this challenge is not new.
Just as Google Street View transformed from a controversial panopticon into an indispensable tool for navigation and exploration, there is a path forward for I-XRAY if implemented thoughtfully.
Leveraging technology for good
Despite my curmudgeon-like tendencies, I lean towards being an optimist, so I am looking not just at the gee whiz factor but also the practical. To envision I-XRAY as something beneficial, we need to think beyond its raw potential.
While it could easily be a tool of exploitation or voyeurism, there’s also the possibility that it could serve those with cognitive or memory challenges, enhance personal safety, and even strengthen social ties. As I get older, my memory is not as reliable as previously. There is just so much junk in there it is just crowded. (For a great rabbit hole exercise go here: https://theclassicjournal.uga.edu/index.php/2022/12/01/is-memory-reliable/)
Let’s consider a few practical applications:
- Assisting memory and social interactions
As people age or experience cognitive impairment, remembering names, faces, and connections becomes increasingly challenging. I-XRAY could serve as a personal digital assistant, gently nudging users with reminders like “This is John, your neighbor from a decade ago,” or “Here comes Sarah, your former colleague from the finance team.” A technology that can prompt me with contextual details about who I’m speaking with could restore confidence and connection for millions who find social interactions intimidating due to memory loss.
Extending this further, imagine a scenario where you’re at a large event—an airport, a conference, or even a concert. Normally, I’d scan a crowd and just hope I spot someone familiar. However, I just cannot remember their name just at THAT moment. Consider also with an augmented overlay powered by I-XRAY, I’d know if an old friend was just across the room. This prompts a natural, meaningful interaction: “Hey, I noticed we’re both here—want to catch up?” The key is using such a tool to foster organic connections, rather than merely feeding a stream of data into the ether. I see this as making our lives richer without surrendering the joy of serendipity.
- Bridging the gap between accessibility and awareness
I-XRAY could also have transformative effects on accessibility. Consider a visually impaired person navigating an unfamiliar space. With real-time information on obstacles, exits, or even which bus is approaching, the technology could be a silent guide, augmenting their awareness of the world around them. Or, for someone with hearing impairments, I-XRAY could act as a contextual captioning system, providing relevant details like lip-reading analysis or directional indicators for people calling their name from across a busy room.
I have wondered forever how we could help those with sight impairment. This seems to be a wonderful application. Letting people “see”. Especially for those who were previously sighted to recall and remember. (For a truly heartwarming story go here. It will blow you away: https://films.nationalgeographic.com/blink)
- Aiding in health and safety
Imagine a version of I-XRAY that detects physiological signals to assist in healthcare settings. Early detection of health issues, identifying potential falls or accidents, or even alerting caregivers when a patient is in distress could prevent countless emergencies. Such a tool could also augment personal security—if I-XRAY could recognize aggressive body language or the presence of concealed threats, it could offer an added layer of situational awareness for vulnerable individuals. Perhaps not quite “Minority Report” but a step in the right direction.
- And travel?
The benefit to consumers during travel would be enhanced convenience and personalized assistance. I-XRAY could help with real-time identification of known individuals (friends, colleagues) in crowded spaces like airports, provide reminders about relevant travel details (e.g., gate changes, nearby amenities), and offer navigation aids for unfamiliar environments—all without intrusive monitoring, making the travel experience smoother and more connected.
But also, it can be really useful. Imagine arriving at a bustling airport, overwhelmed by the noise and crowd – as we all are. With I-XRAY, your travel becomes less stressful: a quick scan reveals not just your gate number and the fastest route, but also highlights familiar faces you might want to catch up with, like a colleague or friend waiting at the same terminal. It alerts you to amenities you prefer—like a quiet lounge. It’s like having a personal guide and memory assistant, making each journey less stressful and more tailored to your needs.
Addressing privacy and intrusiveness
The critical hurdle for I-XRAY adoption will be privacy and data use. Google’s initial rollout of Street View hit a similar barrier: people feared being “spied” on, their homes immortalized in compromising or unflattering scenarios. Google responded by blurring faces, offering opt-outs, and ensuring that sensitive locations weren’t visible. The solution wasn’t about removing the technology but about redefining its boundaries. I-XRAY needs a similar calibration. And we need this NOW!
The challenge is making I-XRAY *assistive*, not *invasive*. People should have the autonomy to set visibility parameters: who can see them, what can be displayed, and when such data is triggered. One approach could be a personal consent model: I choose when I-XRAY is on, what data it can use (e.g., publicly available profiles versus personal notes), and when I’m invisible.
Finding the balance
For I-XRAY to work without feeling “creepy,” it should operate more like a heads-up display for human connection and safety—one that respects boundaries, signals intent transparently, and can be switched off at will. It should never serve as a substitute for natural social interaction but rather as a subtle enabler.
A positive conclusion: I-XRAY as an enabler
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure I-XRAY, like any tool, augments human experience without supplanting it. The positive outcome lies in using the technology to enhance *our* capacity for empathy, memory, and safety, not diminish it. By implementing strong consent models, transparency, and clear boundaries, I-XRAY could become a vital part of our future—not as a privacy nightmare, but as a bridge to deeper connections and safer, more intuitive environments. It’s all about respecting the line between helpful and harmful, ensuring that when we “see through” reality, it’s to see the value in each interaction.
SIDEBAR
I am a bit of a gadget nerd. So, I like to see new stuff. You should see my museum of failed tech). When Google Glasses came out, I started to rethink how the paradigm could change. For the past 50 years we have been largely focused on using our human (mark 1) eyeballs to interact with a screen-based information source. These used to be fixed. Then they got mobile. But to me the liberating element of I-XRAY is that we are moving beyond the fixed model of leaning into a screen. Now the screen and our worlds are conjoined. The barrier of the screen is removed.
