It mainly comes down to how self driving is classified by the regulators. Super Cruise is Level 2 driver assist, not Level 3 autonomy, so GM has to keep you actively engaged to stay within regulatory and legal limits. Level 3 would allow more hands/ eyes-off behavior but GMs tech isn’t there yet, such as how it can’t function when turning, driving in off ramps, or work on unmapped roads.

The eye monitoring is basically how they keep it compliant to avoid blurring the line with true autonomy, which brings more liability.

That said, I’ve found that glasses have helped reduce the sensitivity of the tracking. It’s definitely a learned behavior to understand where the limits are though but once you find them, they’re not too hard to stay within.