Danish universities introduce in-person exams to counter AI use

Danish universities are increasingly shifting to in-person exams as artificial intelligence tools make it harder to assess students’ true knowledge, DR reports.

Lars Esbjerg, a study leader at Aarhus University, said evaluating academic performance has become difficult when students have access to AI assistance. While some exams now permit AI where relevant, many still prohibit it, forcing students to attend physical test sites.

Andreas de Neergaard, pro-dean of education at the University of Copenhagen, said universities are struggling to adapt. “Right now, we’re all scratching our heads, asking: what’s the answer here?” he told DR.

De Neergaard noted that AI is now capable of completing all Danish university degree programs, undermining the reliability of written assignments. “We can no longer be certain who produced the content in written exams, so we can’t use them the way we used to,” he said.

Students like Asger Jonsen Schmidt, who studies sports science, acknowledge the need for change. “I’d rather work on an assignment at home with time to reflect, but I understand the reasoning,” he said.

All eight of Denmark’s universities told DR they have modified exam formats since AI’s rise, with Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, CBS, Roskilde University, and the University of Southern Denmark introducing more oral exams and on-site written tests.

De Neergaard admitted the current approach—relying on stricter controls—is costly and not ideal pedagogically but ensures students possess the skills listed on their diplomas. He stressed that both exams and degree programs must be rethought to better integrate and regulate AI as a tool.

“Today, a skilled AI could complete every university program I know of,” he said. “At least now it can’t get any worse. The task now is to find new ways to structure our education and exams.”