The head of England's qualifications watchdog, Ofqual, has warned that new wearable technologies such as smartglasses and invisible earpieces could exacerbate exam cheating. Ian Bauckham said the regulator must act quickly to protect the integrity of GCSEs and A-levels, as these devices pose a growing threat to the system.
Speaking on an Ofqual podcast, Bauckham highlighted that while mobile phones are a familiar problem, smartwatches and emerging devices like smartglasses—which can display text only the wearer can see—present new challenges. He stressed that the qualification system is a 'national asset' that must be safeguarded.
Ofqual reported 2,225 cases of mobile phone and smart device cheating during last summer's GCSE, AS, and A-level exams, the largest category of malpractice since 2018. Bauckham warned that unfair help from devices could lead to unreliable grades, undermining trust in qualifications.
Regarding AI use in coursework, Bauckham said teachers are finding it increasingly difficult to detect AI-generated content. Ofqual is reviewing whether to require more frequent checks by teachers or enhanced referencing requirements, rather than dropping coursework entirely. He emphasised that using AI to produce work, such as asking ChatGPT to write essays, is 'absolutely not acceptable.'
