As Danish secondary school students return to class next week, they will face a new set of rules governing their use of artificial intelligence. On Thursday, Education Minister Magnus Heunicke unveiled a package of measures designed to curb AI-assisted cheating, a problem he said has become increasingly prevalent in the country's upper secondary schools.
The most significant change is the introduction of oral defences for all written exams completed at home. This applies to the SSO, a major written assignment taken annually by roughly 9,000 students. Under the new system, students will be required to explain and defend their work in person, making it harder to pass off AI-generated content as their own.
In addition, schools will be equipped with monitoring tools to track screen activity during written exams. Firewalls will also be installed to filter online content during teaching hours and examinations, limiting access to AI tools that could be used for cheating.
A third measure encourages schools to hold assignments on campus under supervised conditions. According to the ministry, this approach allows teachers to observe students' working processes, offer timely feedback, and ensure a fairer assessment of their abilities.
Heunicke said he plans to consult with educators and students about both short-term and longer-term solutions. "I will engage in dialogue with schools, teachers and students about what can be done in the short and slightly longer term, so that we can ensure that AI does not undermine students' skills, academic abilities and, above all, their ability to think for themselves," he said in a press release.
Denmark has been grappling with how to integrate AI into education without compromising learning outcomes. Last year, the country launched a pilot programme allowing AI use during English oral exams in upper secondary schools. A broader national strategy for regulating AI across the education sector is also in the works.
The Danish approach reflects a wider European debate. Earlier this summer, Norway imposed a near-ban on generative AI for primary school pupils and restricted its use for older students. The European Commission has also been examining the implications of AI in education, with new EU transparency rules now affecting how AI tools are deployed in everyday settings.
Mixed public opinion
Public sentiment across Europe remains divided. A Eurobarometer survey found that 54% of respondents see both benefits and challenges in using AI for teaching and learning, and call for further study. Only 22% believe AI has no place in the classroom.
Denmark's measures are among the most concrete steps taken by a European government to address AI cheating in schools. The country's education ministry has stressed that the goal is not to ban AI outright but to ensure it does not erode students' critical thinking and independent reasoning.
As schools across the continent adopt different strategies, Denmark's move may serve as a model for others. The debate over AI in education is far from settled, but the Danish government is making clear that academic integrity remains a priority.
