Four out of five universities are employing online examinations, a trend that increases the potential for students to cheat using artificial intelligence, according to a report by the think-tank Policy Exchange. The study, which surveyed 120 universities in 2024, found that 78 percent were using remote assessments, with 70 percent planning to continue this practice.
Only 10 percent of these institutions utilize online invigilation for all remote exams. Furthermore, the research highlighted that 67 percent of university policies for these assessments do not mention generative AI, a technology capable of creating text.
The report argues that the prevalence of online assessments makes AI-assisted cheating an inevitable outcome. Professor Philip Newton, the report's author, stated that AI tools like ChatGPT can complete common assessment methods to a high standard and are largely undetectable, thereby weakening the assessment system. He also warned that students who do not use AI may be at a disadvantage, potentially receiving lower marks and appearing less attractive to employers.
Sir Vince Cable, who previously oversaw universities as a cabinet minister, urged the higher education sector to overhaul its assessment system, recommending that in-person examinations replace remote assessments unless the latter can be fully secured. Lord Mendoza, provost of Oriel College, Oxford, echoed these concerns, stating that unmonitored online exams and take-home essays actively encourage AI use among students, creating an unfair environment.
These findings follow a report from the Higher Education Policy Institute, which indicated last year that 94 percent of students had used generative AI in their assessments. While nearly 49 percent of students felt AI improved their experience, 16 percent reported a negative impact, with some expressing concerns that it was contributing to laziness and affecting their learning.
The Policy Exchange report recommends that the Office for Students and the Quality Assurance Agency deem such online exams as non-compliant, advocating for face-to-face assessments as the standard. A spokesperson for Universities UK, representing vice-chancellors, emphasized the importance of trust in university degrees and stated that institutions are committed to addressing concerns regarding AI misuse through robust policies. They also noted that AI is transforming both learning and the workplace, and universities must equip students to harness AI's opportunities responsibly.