- Korean universities tighten AI rules amid cheating scandals and work on national ethics guidelines
- Overseas campuses embrace AI as a learning and productivity tool while adapting teaching methods
- Focus on skills and critical thinking, redesigning assessments to prepare students for AI-driven careers
Cheating scandals involving artificial intelligence (AI) have recently surfaced at top Korean universities, prompting tighter rules and plans for a national AI ethics framework for students. Despite these concerns, universities abroad are taking a more flexible approach, encouraging responsible AI use to enhance learning and skill development.
At Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), AI is seen as a tool to boost productivity rather than something to ban. Professors set course-specific guidelines and design exams and assignments that encourage critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving, skills that AI cannot easily replace. Isolated misuse of AI has occurred, but faculty have adapted assessment methods to prevent larger-scale issues.
Similarly, the University of Utah Asia Campus promotes AI as a supportive learning tool while emphasizing core skills such as communication, collaboration, adaptability, and ethical judgment. Faculty clearly outline AI use in syllabi and adjust assignments to make students’ thought processes visible, reducing reliance on rote learning or single technical solutions.
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Experts note that online exams complicate AI oversight. Even with cameras and monitoring software, online assessments remain vulnerable, making it hard to fully prevent misuse. In contrast, in-person testing is more effective and widely used at overseas institutions.
Observers warn that simply cracking down on AI in Korea may not solve the underlying challenge. Universities must rethink teaching and evaluation methods, integrating AI responsibly while prioritizing skills for the future workforce. Preparing students to use AI effectively and ethically ensures they remain adaptable in a rapidly evolving job market.
