Denmark Introduces AI Cheating Controls in Schools

Denmark is introducing new measures in upper secondary schools to address unauthorized use of generative AI in written work. Students aged 16 to 19 in gymnasiet will be required to orally defend major written assignments completed at home, creating an additional check on whether submitted work reflects their own knowledge and skills.

The initiative concerns approximately 9,000 students annually who complete the større skriftlige opgave (SSO), a major written assignment. Schools will determine how oral defenses are conducted, in consultation with the Ministry of Children and Education. The measure takes effect immediately as schools resume after the summer break.

Schools will also be required to use computer-monitoring tools during written examinations and apply network filtering through firewalls. These controls are intended to limit access to prohibited digital resources and support compliance with exam rules. The government additionally encourages schools to move more written assignments into supervised classroom settings, allowing teachers to observe the drafting process and provide feedback.

The policy illustrates a broader EU-wide tension between academic integrity, the use of AI tools, and data-protection safeguards. Denmark is also preparing a national strategy for AI in education. Its approach places emphasis on preserving independent thinking and reliable assessment while establishing clearer boundaries for permitted and prohibited AI use. Similar concerns are emerging across Europe: Sweden has reported a substantial increase in disciplinary action related to unauthorized AI use and is reviewing how schools respond to AI-enabled cheating.