Starting with the upcoming school year, Danish students aged 16 to 19 will face new academic requirements designed to curb the use of artificial intelligence in schoolwork. Education Minister Magnus Heunicke announced that students will now be required to provide an oral defense of their written essays to verify their understanding of the material. Additionally, schools are encouraged to move written assignments from home environments to controlled classroom settings, where computer screen monitoring can be implemented to ensure academic integrity.

These measures were announced on Thursday, just days before students return from their summer break. The government’s decision follows concerns regarding the accessibility of AI tools and their potential to facilitate plagiarism or unauthorized assistance in student assignments. While the policy is intended to preserve the validity of academic assessments, it represents a significant shift in the traditional approach to homework and independent study in Denmark. The new rules are set to take effect immediately as the academic term begins.