The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) says its approach to artificial intelligence in school-based assessments (SBAs) will remain rooted in fairness, human oversight, and trust in students’ ability to demonstrate their own knowledge and competence.
In a video message released Monday on the council’s website and social media platforms, Dr Nicole Manning addressed growing concerns among students and teachers about the use of AI tools in academic work and how those tools are being monitored in assessments.
Manning stressed that AI detection software will not be used as the sole basis for determining whether a student’s work violates academic integrity rules.
“The teacher-student relationship built over months of observation, drafts, conversations, and guidance remains central to how SBAs are moderated and assessed,” Manning said.
“AI checkers are one input. They are not the verdict. There will be human interventions right through the process to ensure fairness,” she added.
CXC has issued standards and guidelines outlining how AI may be used in assessments. According to the council, students are permitted to use AI tools to better understand concepts, brainstorm ideas, explain difficult terms, or receive structural suggestions for assignments.
However, students must clearly disclose and cite any use of AI in their submitted SBA projects through a required disclosure form and originality report.
CXC said students who do not use AI in their assignments are not required to submit those documents.
The examinations body warned that assignments generated wholly or substantially by AI are considered academic dishonesty and will be dealt with under existing irregularities procedures involving the student, teacher, and school principal.
Manning also acknowledged the challenges teachers face as AI tools become more common in classrooms and pledged continued support from CXC through training and educational resources.
“You are not alone in this,” she said, encouraging teachers to have open discussions with students about appropriate AI use and the importance of academic integrity.
“Guide them on what they can do, what they cannot, and why academic integrity matters beyond the examination room,” she added.
Manning also delivered a direct message to students, urging them to make ethical decisions in their academic work.
“Integrity is not about whether a machine can detect what you did,” she said. “It is about who you choose to be.”
caribbeannationalweekly.com
