Denmark Mandates Oral Defense of Essays for Secondary Students to Combat AI Cheating

On August 6, 2026, Denmark announced immediate measures to combat AI cheating in upper secondary schools, requiring approximately 9,000 students to orally defend their major written essays. The rules also mandate computer screen monitoring and network firewalls during exams. While Education Minister Magnus Heunicke pushes for a national AI strategy, primary school groups and school leaders are demanding clear guidelines to resolve confusion over AI use in classrooms.

Denmark AI cheating measures

• ▪On August 6, 2026, the Danish government announced immediate measures to combat artificial intelligence cheating among upper secondary school students aged 16 to 19.
• ▪Danish Education Minister Magnus Heunicke demanded urgent action on August 6, 2026, stating that artificial intelligence cheating is an immediate problem in upper secondary schools.
• ▪In neighboring Sweden, student suspensions and warnings for unauthorized artificial intelligence use increased by 688% between 2023 and 2025.

Oral essay defense requirement

• ▪Under the new Danish rules announced on August 6, 2026, approximately 9,000 upper secondary school students who write major annual essays must now orally defend their work.
• ▪The Danish oral defense requirement targets the major final essay written at home, known in Denmark as the "større skriftlige opgave" or SSO.

Computer screen monitoring

• ▪Danish upper secondary schools are required to use monitoring tools to oversee computer screen activity during written examinations.
• ▪Danish upper secondary schools must install firewalls to filter accessible content on school networks during exams and teaching hours.

Controlled exam conditions

• ▪The Danish government urged schools to encourage students to complete more written assignments in school under controlled, supervised conditions.
• ▪Completing assignments in school aims to allow Danish teachers to follow students' work processes, provide feedback, and establish a more accurate basis for grading.

National AI education strategy

• ▪The Danish government is preparing a comprehensive national strategy for artificial intelligence use across all schools and the wider education sector.
• ▪Danish Education Minister Magnus Heunicke placed the consequences of artificial intelligence on teaching at the top of the agenda for the annual Sorø meeting in August 2026.

Primary school AI guidance

• ▪The Danish primary school student organization Danske Skoleelever called for clear rules on artificial intelligence use, citing student confusion over varying teacher policies.
• ▪School Leaders' Association chair Dorte Andreas supported the call for clear guidelines and emphasized the need to develop artificial intelligence skills among Danish teachers and school leaders.