The Australian National University (ANU) has been accused of a 'hysterical' response to students using artificial intelligence to cheat, as tertiary institutions across the country scramble to shore up the credibility of assessments. One ANU academic, speaking anonymously to Guardian Australia, criticized the university's approach as a 'reactionary response' that could undermine progress in inclusive assessment design.
Widespread AI Use Among Students
The 2025 Australian Digital Inclusion Index found that 78.9% of secondary and tertiary students are using generative AI. In response, ANU released a consultation paper to academic and teaching staff outlining three options: classifying assessments as 'secure' (completely free from AI cheating risk) or 'insecure', or requiring students to declare in which stages of an assessment AI was used.
One ANU academic supported the university's moves but described the process across the sector as 'panicked'. 'Everyone is adjusting in a panicked way, which is aggravated by a lack of resources to support teaching. It makes the shift to secure assessment really complicated,' they said.
Criticism of ANU's Approach
Another ANU academic was more critical, warning the changes could reverse progress in making assessments inclusive for students with disabilities or caring responsibilities. 'This is not an earnest consultation, this is a reactionary response, perhaps one would argue a hysterical response. We are at a point of panic now. That panic has resulted in proposals that could see inclusion go backwards,' they said.
The academic noted that their faculty had already issued draft guidelines ahead of the second semester, pushing for greater on-campus assessment. 'Teaching begins in less than two weeks … we're being asked to do more at very short notice, with an utter lack of training.'
ANU's Response
An ANU spokesperson said the university had issued interim guidelines but no changes had been finalized for semester two. Further consultation will commence in August, involving 'students, staff, the ANU accessibility team and experts in inclusive design'. The spokesperson added: 'To support Semester 2, the working group has issued interim guidance informed by preliminary feedback from the academic colleges. The guidance does not prescribe particular assessment types or require a shift to in-person assessment. Students who require reasonable adjustments to participate fully in learning and assessment will continue to receive them.'
Warning on National Intellectual Capability
ANU law professor Will Bateman, who leads research on AI regulation, warned that failing to address AI's erosion of educational rigour could see Australia lose its intellectual capability. 'If we don't address the erosion of the norms and rigour in our education created by AI, we are just shipping our national intellectual capability to companies in California and China,' he said.
Bateman emphasized that securing assessments does not mean a return to mass in-person exams. 'Responding to AI doesn't automatically mean sending students back to exam halls en masse, but we need serious investment in fully secure devices to ensure that students are actually learning the material we teach and to assure people outside the university that the degrees we issue are meaningful.'
Other Universities' Responses
The University of Queensland (UQ) began implementing 'secure' assessment policies earlier this year, but faced criticism for scheduling in-person oral assessments during night hours and weekends. UQ's deputy vice-chancellor of education, Kris Ryan, said the university had been considering AI responses since 2023. 'There has been a shift by some academics across the university to put on more traditional exams as part of their secure assessment strategy. We owe it to the community at large that we can say, hand on heart, that our graduates have the capabilities that we value,' he said.
UQ classifies assessments as secure or 'open'. Ryan explained that secure assessments could include some AI use, but students must demonstrate 'critical appraisal of how AI comes up with the answer'. He acknowledged concerns about students being left behind but said the university was working with staff and students to accommodate needs.
The University of Melbourne is also moving toward secure assessments, with deputy vice-chancellor of education Professor Gregor Kennedy stating the institution is looking at more oral assessments. 'The university is transforming its assessment approach to embed secure assessment types. This evolution involves more secure assessments, including interactive oral exams that can be tailored to different disciplines and student needs,' Kennedy said.
Future Outlook
Barney Glover, head of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, noted that more universities are reintroducing oral exams to better test students. He warned that universities 'need to be really responsible' in how they use or restrict AI. Despite the challenges, Glover expressed confidence that Australia's 'world-class tertiary education system will adapt'.
