Denmark to Let Students Use AI in English Exams from 2026

High school students in Denmark will soon be allowed to use artificial intelligence tools to prepare for their English oral exams, the country’s education ministry announced on Friday, August 22.

Starting in 2026, the initiative will run as an experimental pilot scheme for the high school diploma’s oral English tests. Once students are assigned their exam topic, they will have one hour to prepare, during which they may use “all available tools, including generative AI,” before presenting their responses in person before an examiner.

Balancing Digital Tools with Standards

Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye explained that the move is aimed at striking a balance between embracing digital learning and maintaining educational quality.

“We are launching pilot schemes to try to find the right balance,” Tesfaye said. “With students growing up in both analogue and digital worlds, we need to prepare them as best as possible for the realities they will face after school.”

Written Exams Remain Partly Non-Digital

The ministry clarified that the written portion of the English exam would remain partly handwritten to ensure students build independent writing skills and to reduce overreliance on digital tools.

This marks a shift from previous years when students typed their answers on internet-enabled computers. “For certain linguistic aspects, it is prudent to have exams that are totally non-digital,” the minister noted. “That limits cheating and helps students develop their own style of language.”

Denmark’s Long Digital History in Exams

Denmark has allowed students to use the internet during exams since 2008, making it one of the most digitally integrated exam systems in Europe. However, the AI trial will be limited only to high schools that volunteer to participate.

Global Debate

The Danish decision comes amid a growing international debate about whether AI should be seen as a valuable learning aid in an increasingly digital economy or as a risk that could undermine critical thinking and skill development among students.