More supervision of university exams to combat AI use

The University of Tasmania is implementing more supervised assessments in certain courses to address concerns that artificial intelligence is eroding confidence in university degrees. Independent audits will be conducted up to twice a year to ensure that the balance between online and in-person assessments meets the necessary learning outcomes.

The university will prioritize in-person and supervised assessments to confirm that students are completing assignments independently, without relying on AI tools. This initiative, co-developed by UTAS and Proudly Human, aims to restore trust in degrees by verifying students' identity, authorship, and observation during assessments.

The University of Sydney introduced a similar model two years ago, categorizing assessments into secure and unsecured lanes. UTAS will need to demonstrate that students are achieving key learning outcomes through appropriate assessments, including supervised exams, essay defenses, and oral presentations. The university's president and a human-certification company founder emphasized the importance of in-person assessments and the need for transparency in defending the authenticity of student work.