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News: How UK Exam Boards Are Adapting to AI-Generated Answers — A 2026 Update

TTheEnglish.biz Editorial Desk

2026-01-17

6 min read

Exam boards are changing rules and tooling to contend with generative AI. We summarise the latest policy shifts, practical implications for tutors, and recommended mitigations.

News: How UK Exam Boards Are Adapting to AI-Generated Answers — A 2026 Update

Lead: As generative models matured, exam regulators introduced layered changes in 2025–2026 to preserve assessment validity. This update summarises what changed and what tutors should do immediately.

Policy shifts to watch

Artefact-based evidence: regulators now prefer short, timed artefacts paired with identity-anchored submissions.
Clear labelling: policies require transparent statements about the use of AI in producing any submitted content.
Spot-audit frameworks: random sampling and forensic review have become standard practice for high-stakes exams.

Implications for tutors

Move to shorter, staged assessments that create a longitudinal profile of performance.
Help learners understand responsible AI usage and craft statements disclosing assistance where permitted.
Use secure intake and timestamped uploads to provide a defensible chain of custody for artefacts.

Context and public trust

The broader debate about AI-generated content and trust continues to shape policy. Public discussions about the rise of AI-generated news and trust are influencing how regulators frame transparency requirements — expect more guidance on disclosure and provenance in the coming months.

Recommended immediate actions

Audit your assessment design for single-point-of-failure tasks.
Integrate secure intake partners to capture submission metadata.
Publish clear guidance for learners on acceptable AI assistance and documentation requirements.
Train tutors on how to detect common artefacts of automated generation and when to escalate.

Resources

Author: Editorial Desk, TheEnglish.biz — coverage of policy and assessment changes affecting English education in the UK and internationally.

TheEnglish.biz Editorial Desk

Editorial

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.