Multiple parties want to prepare upper secondary schools for an AI-shaped reality

Several Danish political parties are calling for a review of upper secondary school exams and teaching methods, following warnings from school leaders and teachers that students may perform worse in their final exams due to their dependence on artificial intelligence. DR reports.

The association Danske Gymnasier, which represents Danish upper secondary schools, along with the teachers’ union Gymnasielærerne, has raised concerns that this year’s final-year students may not achieve the same results as previous cohorts. The graduating class of 2025 is the first in history to have had access to AI tools throughout their entire time in upper secondary education, yet AI remains banned during exams.

In response, Danske Gymnasier has put forward a series of proposals to reform how exams are structured to better reflect the reality students face outside the classroom.

What Danske Gymnasier is proposing

The association proposes that students receive a single combined annual grade in each subject, replacing the current system of separate grades for written and oral work. It also suggests allowing students to use AI in their preparation for oral exams. Additionally, compulsory written exams would remain free of aids but would be shortened from five hours to two hours.

Politicians divided on the approach

The proposals have drawn mixed reactions from across the political spectrum. Leila Stockmarr, education spokesperson for the left-wing party Enhedslisten, expressed concern that shortening exam time could increase pressure on struggling students. She also argued that addressing exams alone would not be enough.

“I hear from students in everyday life that there is a lack of guidelines for how to use AI in a constructive way day to day,” Stockmarr said, calling for better coherence between the daily use of AI in schoolwork and the restrictions that apply during exams.

Christian Kirk of Dansk Folkeparti said it makes sense to introduce a single combined grade for oral and written work, since teachers currently struggle to assess what students are actually capable of given AI use. He also called for more in-class tests using pen and paper. “It is no use if students are given lots of homework assignments where they can get AI to write the work for them,” he said.

Rasmus Lund-Nielsen of the Moderates agreed that AI use in schoolwork needs to be addressed, but rejected the idea of lowering standards. “I do not agree that the solution is to ease requirements and grading, as I think Danske Gymnasier is suggesting. That will not make our students more capable,” he said, instead advocating for more assessments and assignments completed without digital aids.

The Socialist People’s Party, SF, also indicated willingness to consider adjustments to both exams and teaching in upper secondary education.