As final exams approach, parents and educators are increasingly concerned about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence tools by students seeking an unfair edge. This issue gained notable attention in China, where AI companies have taken measures to ensure exam integrity. They’ve effectively flipped the off switch on AI chatbots during critical testing periods, as highlighted by Bloomberg.
Notable AI platforms, such as Alibaba’s Qwen and ByteDance’s Doubao, have restricted their chatbots from utilizing photo recognition features during annual college entrance exams, also known as the gaokao. Similarly, Tencent’s Yuanbao and Moonshot’s Kimi have suspended access to these capabilities throughout the testing hours. The Guardian corroborated similar actions taken by DeepSeek.
When students inquire about the restrictions, they’re met with a clear response: “To ensure the fairness of the college entrance examinations, this function cannot be used during the test period,” according to Bloomberg. Attempts to upload images or seek assistance for exam-related inquiries are met with messages emphasizing rule compliance.
Interestingly, while the shutdown of AI features appears to be widely implemented across various companies, there have been no formal announcements regarding this decision. Instead, reports indicate that students have turned to social media to voice their frustrations. One Weibo post captured the sentiments well: “College entrance exam candidates, you are all shit. I can’t use DeepSeek to upload pictures; I have to download ChatGPT again. I hope you all go to community college,” as mentioned in The Guardian.
The stakes are indeed high during the exam period, which spans three demanding days, where approximately 13.3 million students aim for limited spots in China’s universities. This rigorous exam, known as the gaokao, lasts around nine hours. During this time, students are prohibited from using personal devices, ensuring limited opportunity for accessing AI tools, though the authorities are not taking any chances.
While students face restrictions, reports suggest that exam administrators may utilize AI technology for monitoring. As China Daily detailed, some examination venues are deploying AI surveillance to detect “irregular behavior,” such as students whispering or making suspicious glances that human proctors might overlook.
How can AI impact exam integrity?
AI tools, if unregulated, can provide students with access to information that undermines the examination process. This has prompted stringent measures to prevent cheating.
What are the gaokao’s main challenges for students?
Students face immense pressure to perform well, compounded by the rigorous nature of the exam and the limited university placements, making competitive strategies essential for success.
Do AI companies communicate about these restrictions effectively?
No, many restrictions were communicated informally through students, contributing to confusion and frustration among users trying to access AI tools during exams.
What innovative measures are schools taking against cheating?
Schools are increasingly turning towards AI surveillance technology to enhance monitoring during exams, ensuring a fair testing environment.
In conclusion, as exam seasons roll around globally, the challenges of maintaining fairness in education become ever more complex. The steps taken by Chinese AI firms reflect a growing awareness of these challenges. For further insights into educational trends and technology, explore more at Moyens I/O.