CXC urges responsible use of AI in school-based assessments

The Caribbean Examinations Council, CXC has urged the responsible use of artificial intelligence, AI in school-based assessments, SBAs.

The council has issued a direct message to students, teachers, and parents affirming that its approach to the use of AI in SBAs is grounded in fairness.

In a release today, CXC’s Director of Operations Dr. Nicole Manning noted that the council is grounded in fairness, human judgement, and confidence in the desire of Caribbean learners to do well in demonstrating their knowledge and competence.

She said CXC does not object to the use of artificial intelligence in SBAs but there are guidelines that must be followed.

Addressing concerns about the reliability of AI detection tools to carry out assessment of SBAs, Dr. Manning pointed out that AI detection software will not be used as the sole basis for decisions about a student’s work.

She said factors such as teacher-student relationship built over months of observation, drafts, conversations, and guidance remains central to how SBAs are moderated and assessed.

Dr. Manning noted that there will be human interventions throughout the process to ensure fairness.

She said CXC has been clear on the guidance for schools in the use of AI, which may be used to understand concepts, brainstorm ideas, explain difficult terms, or generate structural suggestions.

Dr. Manning said where AI has been used in any form, students must clearly cite their sources in the submitted SBA with a required disclosure form and originality report.

In cases where AI is not used, no disclosure form or originality report is required.

Dr. Manning stressed that submitting work generated wholly or significantly by AI is deemed by CXC as academic dishonesty and is handled under established irregularities procedures in collaboration with the candidate, the teacher, and the school principal.