Schools told to make children do coursework in class amid AI cheating fears

Schools have been told to make children do some of their coursework “in class under direct supervision” amid fears artificial intelligence (AI) systems can be used to cheat. The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), which represents the UK’s major exam boards, has published guidance on “protecting the integrity of qualifications” in the context of AI use.

Schools should make pupils aware of the risks of using AI and the possible consequences of using it “inappropriately” in assessment, the guidance says. It adds: “Students who misuse AI such that the work they submit for assessment is not their own will have committed malpractice, in accordance with JCQ regulations, and may attract severe sanctions.”

ChatGPT is a form of generative AI which has come to prominence in recent months after a version was released to the public last year. It can respond to questions in a human-like manner and understand the context of follow-up queries, much like in human conversations, as well as being able to compose essays if asked.

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In February, a graduate of the University of Bristol tested ChatGPT by asking it to write a 2,000-word essay on social policy. The AI produced the work in 20 minutes and the former student was told it would have passed with a score of 53 – a 2:2.

The guidance for teachers and assessors – which highlights a number of AI chatbots including ChatGPT – suggests “allocating time for sufficient portions of work to be done in class under direct supervision to allow the teacher to authenticate each student’s whole work with confidence”.

It comes as MPs on the Commons Science and Technology Committee were warned of the