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Tech & Science
Denmark: new AI anti-cheating rules in upper secondary schools from 2026
Herz — Tech & Science Desk · · 30s summary · 2 min read
The essentials
On 6 August 2026, the Danish government announced immediate measures to tackle AI cheating in upper secondary schools (gymnasiet). Students aged 16 to 19 must now orally defend their written work completed at home. Schools are required to install computer monitoring tools and firewalls during exams. About 9,000 students annually are directly affected by the new oral defence requirement for their major home assignment. The government is also preparing a comprehensive national AI strategy for education.
- Oral defence now compulsory for major written assignments completed at home
- Computer monitoring and firewalls required in schools during exams
- About 9,000 Danish students affected annually by the new measures
- +688% rise in AI cheating sanctions in Sweden between 2023 and 2025
- Denmark preparing a national AI strategy for education
What we know
On 6 August 2026, the Danish government announced immediate measures to combat AI cheating in upper secondary education, according to The Guardian. The gymnasiet — the term for this education level for students aged 16–19 — is directly targeted ahead of the autumn term return.
Magnus Heunicke, Denmark's education minister, acknowledged the existence of an AI cheating problem in schools and called for immediate action.
Unfortunately, we have a problem with AI cheating in upper secondary schools.
— Magnus Heunicke, Denmark's education minister
Students must now make an oral defence of written work completed at home. This rule applies notably to the 'større skriftlige opgave' (SSO) — a major home assignment completed by about 9,000 students each year.
Schools are required to deploy computer monitoring tools during written exams and install firewalls that limit access to the school network during exams and lessons.
The government is also encouraging schools to have students complete written assignments on-site under supervised conditions rather than at home — to better monitor the students' work process. This recommendation is not, however, mandatory.
AI cheating on the rise across the Nordic region
The issue extends beyond Denmark's borders. In neighbouring Sweden, the number of students disciplined for unauthorized AI use rose by 688% between 2023 and 2025, according to a study cited by The Guardian.
In response to this trend, Sweden's minister for upper secondary education, Lotta Edholm, announced in January a review into how schools manage AI cheating. Findings were expected in April.
Towards a national strategy
Beyond these immediate measures, the Danish government is preparing a comprehensive national strategy on AI use across the entire education sector.
What is the 'større skriftlige opgave' (SSO)?
It is a major written assignment completed at home, mandatory in Danish upper secondary education. About 9,000 students write it each year and will now be required to defend it orally.
What measures are now mandatory for Danish schools?
Schools must install computer monitoring tools and firewalls during exams. Students aged 16–19 also have an obligation to orally defend written work completed at home.
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