Denmark could allow AI in high school exams as soon as 2026 🤖📖

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Starting in 2026, Danish high school students sitting for the English oral baccalaureate exam may be allowed to use artificial intelligence (AI) during their preparation time. The country’s Ministry of Education made the announcement on August 22, describing it as a major step in rethinking how technology fits into education.

A carefully framed experiment 📚

Here’s how it would work: once students draw their exam topic, they’ll have one hour to prepare. During that time, they’ll be free to use any available tools — including generative AI platforms. It’s a sharp departure from the current rules, where these technologies are strictly off-limits. The catch? The actual oral presentation to the examiner still has to be entirely the student’s own work.

By contrast, France has taken a much tougher stance. AI use is completely banned in national exams. In updated regulations published in June 2025, the French Ministry of Education stressed that AI should serve only as a learning aid, not a shortcut for thinking. Even for homework, teachers must give explicit permission before students can turn to AI tools.

Why Denmark wants structure, not chaos ⚖️

Denmark has been here before. Since 2008, students have been allowed supervised internet access during exams — making the country a pioneer in digital-first testing. Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye says the next step is about finding balance.

“When students operate in both analog and digital worlds, we prepare them in the best possible way for life after school,” Tesfaye explained.

The pilot program will only apply to general education tracks and will be limited to schools that opt in. Still, the limitations of today’s AI systems are expected to be more visible in the high-stakes, academically demanding setting of final exams.

A decision that raises questions ❓

Denmark’s move reignites a broader debate: what role should AI play in learning and assessment? For some, it’s a useful assistant; for others, a crutch that risks undermining critical thinking. Copenhagen’s bet is clear: preparing students for a world where the analog and digital inevitably coexist.

👉🏾 What do you think — should AI be allowed in exams?