Danish pupils aged 16 to 19 must now defend their written essays orally as part of a government crackdown on AI cheating in upper secondary schools. Education minister Magnus Heunicke announced the measures on Thursday, saying they take effect immediately as students prepare to return from summer break.
"Unfortunately, we have a problem with AI cheating in upper secondary schools," Heunicke said. "Action is needed now."
AI had posed a growing challenge to teaching and exams, the education ministry said. The new rules aim to establish clearer guidelines for when pupils are not permitted to use it, part of a broader shift in AI for Education policy across Europe.
Three measures to curb AI cheating
The first measure targets the roughly 9,000 students who write the large written assignment - known as større skriftlige opgave, or SSO - each year. They will now have to defend it orally, and the ministry said it would consult schools on how to implement this.
Schools must also install monitoring tools to oversee computer use during written exams, and firewalls to filter what's available on school networks during exams and teaching.
The third measure encourages schools to have pupils complete more written assignments at school under controlled conditions. This lets teachers "follow the students' work process, provide relevant feedback and create a more accurate basis for assessment."
Heunicke said he would speak to schools, teachers and students to "ensure that AI does not undermine students' competencies, professionalism and, not least, the ability to think for themselves."
Sweden sees sharp rise in AI-related discipline
In neighboring Sweden, a study found that suspensions or warnings for unauthorized AI use rose by 688% between 2023 and 2025. The government has commissioned a review into how schools are tackling AI cheating, due to report in April.
"There is no reason to turn a blind eye to cheating students," said Lotta Edholm, Sweden's minister for upper secondary school. "Cheating is completely unacceptable regardless of what form. It risks affecting grades that should reflect students' knowledge and in the long term, students are not actually learning what they should."
Why this matters for education professionals
Denmark's approach signals a shift away from detecting AI use after the fact, toward designing assessments that make unauthorized AI use harder in the first place. Oral defences and monitored in-class writing change the teacher's role from grading final products to observing the work as it happens - a distinction worth planning for this term.
Teachers weighing similar policies can find practical guidance in the AI for Teachers learning path.
Your membership also unlocks:
