Cheating in school is an age-old problem, but new technologies have made it easier. Mobile phones in particular allow students to peek at notes during exams, text their friends for homework answers, or even use AI apps to solve a problem. Educators and institutions are deploying various measures to combat cheating. But is it enough to safeguard the integrity of exams?

As academic integrity breaches rise by 313%, universities are changing their policies to deal with those linked to the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Changes include reducing conduct panels and speeding up case resolution to maintain trust and accountability while adapting to technological challenges. Despite concerns about fairness, the universities stress their commitment to maintaining due process rights. Approved changes to the Honour Code allow for proctoring, reflecting efforts to address integrity issues.

Students who cheat in exams could now face fines of up to AED200,000.

The University of Regina (U of R) has observed a surge in cheating cases, particularly in its Nursing Program, during final exams. Around 50 out of 1,200 nursing students are under investigation for academic integrity concerns. Factors contributing to this increase include students' unfamiliarity with exam regulations due to pandemic-related disruptions and improper use of Artificial Intelligence tools. Penalties for academic misconduct range from warnings to expulsion.

China's Ministry of Science and Technology has released new guidelines on the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in scientific research to enhance scientific integrity and reduce misconduct. The rules ban the direct use of generative AI tools for research funding applications, requiring clear labelling of AI-generated content. The guidelines address challenges arising from rapid AI development, emphasizing responsible research conduct.