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

Aug 6, 2026

Denmark has introduced immediate measures requiring upper secondary students aged 16 to 19 to orally defend their written essays to combat artificial intelligence cheating. Announced by Education Minister Magnus Heunicke on August 6, 2026, the rules also mandate computer screen monitoring during exams and encourage in-school writing. The decision comes amid a broader regional struggle, with neighboring Sweden reporting a 688% surge in AI-related cheating cases.

Oral essay defense requirement

▪Approximately 9,000 Danish upper secondary school students who write a major annual essay, known as "større skriftlige opgave" or SSO, will be affected by the new oral defense requirement.
▪Danish upper secondary school students aged 16 to 19 will be required to make an oral defense of their written essays to combat artificial intelligence cheating.

AI cheating in Danish schools

▪Danish Education Minister Magnus Heunicke announced on August 6, 2026, that immediate action was required to address the growing problem of artificial intelligence cheating in upper secondary schools.
▪In neighboring Sweden, a study found that student suspensions and warnings for unauthorized artificial intelligence use increased by 688% between 2023 and 2025.
▪Swedish Minister for Upper Secondary School Lotta Edholm stated in January 2026 that cheating with artificial intelligence is completely unacceptable and risks negatively affecting the validity of grades.

Computer screen monitoring

▪Danish upper secondary schools will be mandated to use specialized software to monitor students' computer screens during written exams.
▪Danish upper secondary schools are required to install firewalls to filter accessible content on school networks during exams and teaching hours.

Controlled exam conditions

▪Completing assignments under controlled school conditions is intended to allow teachers to observe the student's work process, provide feedback, and establish a more accurate basis for assessment.
▪The Danish government is urging schools to encourage students to complete more written assignments at school under controlled conditions rather than at home.

National AI strategy development

▪Danish Education Minister Magnus Heunicke convened experts at the annual Sorø education policy summit to place the consequences of artificial intelligence on teaching at the top of the agenda.
▪The Danish government is preparing a comprehensive national strategy for artificial intelligence use across all schools and the wider education sector.

Primary school AI guidance needs

▪Danske Skoleelever chair Madicken Luther stated that primary school pupils face inconsistent rules regarding artificial intelligence use, with some teachers permitting it and others treating it as cheating.
▪The Danish primary school pupil organization, Danske Skoleelever, and the School Leaders' Association are calling for clear guidelines on how pupils may use artificial intelligence in primary schools.