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

Aug 6, 2026

To combat artificial intelligence cheating, Denmark is mandating that secondary school students aged 16 to 19 orally defend their written essays. Announced by Education Minister Magnus Heunicke on August 6, 2026, the immediate measures also require schools to monitor computer screens during exams, install firewalls, and encourage in-school writing. Meanwhile, primary school groups are calling for clear AI guidelines to resolve classroom confusion.

Denmark AI cheating measures

▪On August 6, 2026, the Danish government announced immediate measures to combat artificial intelligence cheating among 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 a growing problem in upper secondary schools.
▪A study in Sweden found that student suspensions and warnings for unauthorized artificial intelligence use increased by 688% between 2023 and 2025.

Oral essay defense requirement

▪The oral defense requirement targets Danish secondary school students aged 16 to 19 who write major final essays at home.
▪Under the new Danish rules, approximately 9,000 upper secondary school students each year must orally defend their major written exam assignments to combat artificial intelligence cheating.

Computer screen monitoring

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

Controlled exam conditions

▪Conducting written assignments at school aims to allow teachers to follow students' work processes 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 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 education policy summit.

Primary school AI guidance

▪School Leaders' Association chair Dorte Andreas urged Danish Education Minister Magnus Heunicke to provide clear guidance and develop skills for teachers regarding artificial intelligence.
▪The Danish primary school pupil organization Danske Skoleelever called for clear rules on artificial intelligence use, citing student confusion over varying teacher guidelines.