In a bid to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings, Denmark has announced new measures that will require high school students to present and defend their written essays orally. This decision, reported by The Guardian, is aimed at ensuring that essays are genuinely authored by the students rather than generated by AI tools.
Students aged 16 to 19 in the final years of high school, known as gymnasiet in Denmark, will now be required to orally articulate the content of their essays, which they must complete at home. This requirement is part of a broader strategy to confirm that work submitted is the product of the students’ own efforts.
Additionally, students will be encouraged to complete their assignments under controlled conditions at school, where their computer screens will be monitored to prevent unauthorized access to information.
Immediate Implementation of Measures
The measures were announced on Tuesday and will take effect next week when students return to school after the summer break. Danish Education Minister Magnus Heunicke emphasized the necessity for immediate action, stating, “Unfortunately, we have a problem with cheating through AI in high schools. We need to act now.” He expressed that the use of AI has raised significant issues for teaching and examinations, and he hopes these new regulations will clarify the rules surrounding AI use in education.
Heunicke aims to ensure that “artificial intelligence does not undermine the skills, professionalism, and, importantly, the ability of students to think independently.” Each year, around 9,000 high school seniors in Denmark are required to write extensive essays, and now they must demonstrate a thorough understanding of their work orally.
Increased Surveillance During Examinations
Furthermore, during exams, the computers used by students will have firewalls installed to restrict their access to information. Encouraging students to complete their homework at school will allow for better oversight of each student’s work, providing opportunities for guidance from teachers.
The emergence of AI poses a significant challenge for educational systems worldwide, prompting governments to explore effective intervention strategies. A study conducted in Sweden revealed a 688% increase in the number of students penalized for improper AI use between 2023 and 2025. As a result, the Swedish government decided to evaluate how schools manage the issue of AI-assisted cheating.
Lotta Edholm, Sweden’s Education Minister, stated in January, “There is no reason to turn a blind eye to students who cheat. Cheating is completely unacceptable in any form, as it risks affecting grades that should reflect students’ knowledge, and in the long run, they will not learn what they need to.”
