ANU Faces Criticism Over ‘Hysterical’ AI Cheating Crackdown as Universities Rush to Protect Assessment Integrity

A scholar at the Australian National University has condemned the institution’s reaction to student use of artificial intelligence for cheating as “hysterical,” as universities nationwide work urgently to defend the validity of their assessments.

However, a fellow academic cautioned that without restoring educational rigour, Australia risks “shipping our national intellectual capability” to firms in California and China.

The Canberra-based university is among those seeking to address widespread AI adoption, with concerns that students are either cheating with the technology or failing to learn adequately.

According to the 2025 Australian Digital Inclusion Index, 78.9% of secondary and tertiary students reported using generative AI.

ANU has issued a consultation paper to academic and teaching staff presenting three pathways: labeling assessments as “secure” (entirely protected from AI cheating) or “insecure,” or requiring students to disclose where in the assessment process AI was used.

One ANU academic expressed support for the university’s direction but described the sector-wide process as “panicked.”

“Everyone is adjusting in a panicked way, which is aggravated by a lack of resources to support teaching,” the academic said. “It makes the shift to secure assessment really complicated.”

Another ANU academic criticized the university for insufficient consultation and warned the changes could reverse progress in making assessments more accessible for students with disabilities or caring duties.

“This is not an earnest consultation, this is a reactionary response, perhaps one would argue a hysterical response,” they said. “We are at a point of panic now. That panic has resulted in proposals that could see inclusion go backwards.”

The academic noted their faculty had already released draft guidelines before semester two, pushing for increased 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 law professor Will Bateman, who leads AI regulation research, said tackling AI infiltration in Australian universities is essential to prevent the offshoring of intellectual capacity.

“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 clarified that securing assessments does not require all in-person testing, but called for better technological responses to AI use.

“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.”

The University of Queensland began rolling out new “secure” assessment policies earlier this year but faced backlash over nighttime and weekend in-person oral exams.

Deputy vice-chancellor of education Kris Ryan told Guardian Australia the university started planning AI responses in 2023, with implementation now underway.

“There has been a shift by some academics across the university to put on more traditional exams as part of their secure assessment strategy,” he said.

“We owe it to the community at large that we can say, hand on heart, that our graduates have the capabilities that we value.”

UQ classifies assessments as secure or “open.” Ryan said secure assessments may permit some AI use if students demonstrate “critical appraisal of how AI comes up with the answer.”

Ryan acknowledged concerns that restructured exams could disadvantage some students but said the university is collaborating with staff and students to meet needs.

“I’ve got three teams working now, whether it’s scheduling, whether it’s the types of assessment we’re encouraging academics to do, whether its working directly with students to look at other alternatives.”

The University of Melbourne is also adopting “secure” assessments. Deputy vice-chancellor of education Prof Gregor Kennedy said the institution is increasing oral assessments as part of its AI strategy.

“The University is transforming its assessment approach to embed secure assessment types that ensure integrity and verify students’ work amidst the rise of AI tools,” Kennedy said.

“This evolution involves more secure assessments, including interactive oral exams that can be tailored to different disciplines and student needs, assuring our graduates’ highly regarded learning, skills and knowledge.”

Barney Glover, head of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, said more universities are reintroducing oral exams to better evaluate students, but urged responsible management of AI.

Despite AI’s “challenges,” he said Australia’s “world-class tertiary education system will adapt.”

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