Australian universities speed up exam changes to tackle AI cheating, scholar warns of education integrity crisis

As AI tools become popular among students, many Australian universities are speeding up changes to exams and assessments to prevent cheating and keep degrees trustworthy. Data shows 78.9% of high school and university students are already using generative AI.

The Australian National University has proposed reforms, including dividing course assessments into "secure" and "insecure" categories, and asking students to explain how they used AI in their assignments. The University of Queensland has already started using "secure assessments," with some courses bringing back in-person oral exams. The University of Melbourne also plans to add more interactive oral tests.

Some scholars criticize the reaction as "hysterical," saying the reforms are rushed and lack teacher training, which could hurt educational inclusion. ANU law professor Will Bateman warns that if education rigor isn't restored, Australia's "national intellectual capacity" will be handed over to tech companies in the US and China.

Despite challenges, Higher Education Commission head Barney Glover says the system will eventually adapt, but AI use must be managed responsibly.