Around the world there is a growing worry that AI is getting ahead of us and out of control. Even the leaders of big AI companies are concerned.
For the University sector, one of the defining challenges is how to maintain the value of a university degree when students can use AI to do their work. It has never been easier for students to write assignments, solve problems and complete assessments without actually acquiring the knowledge and capabilities, or using their own critical thinking.
Employers need certainty that their future hires have earned their degrees. Students want confidence their degrees will be valued. Universities need to stay relevant.
The University of Tasmania developed the sector‑leading Assured Assessment Standard with Proudly Human, who brought independent expertise and a commitment to a global solution to certify human‑created work. The University is now using the Standard in all of its own courses.
The Standard requires universities to clearly set out what the learning outcomes of their course should be. What should students, employers, and the community be confident that students know and can do? For every one of those course outcomes the Standard requires students in a secured, supervised assessment, to personally demonstrate what they have learned. You can’t get your degree otherwise.
There can be other forms of assessment in which students may use AI with acknowledgement and build their skills to use it, as employers will also expect. However those assessments are to build the capabilities that will be securely assessed. If a student misuses AI they don’t gain an advantage. The incentive is in using it to learn so they can meet the assured assessment with confidence.
The Assured Assessment Standard is now available for other universities to adopt. Displaying the Assured Assessment Standard means a university has been audited to prove that every graduate has demonstrated every Course Learning Outcome under secured conditions.
“This joint initiative with the University of Tasmania to develop the Assured Assessment Standard is a turning point for higher education as we all struggle to deal with the challenges from AI,” said Dr Alan Finkel, Chairman of Proudly Human. “It is unfortunate, but a passing grade is no longer enough to prove a student’s work.”
Vice‑Chancellor Professor Rufus Black said “the University of Tasmania is focused on keeping the human at the centre and defending the value of a true education in the AI age. The response to AI is a defining moment for universities. We cannot overstate its importance.
“Proudly Human came to us with the concept of a sector‑standard and we have worked with them to design the solution. We built this from our own frameworks and other sector‑leading practices, such as the two‑lane approach proposed by the University of Sydney” Professor Black said.
“It matters we create a sector standard, indeed a global standard, because society needs confidence in the sector and all our qualifications – not just in individual universities.”
In Australia, the Assured Assessment Standard supports the requirements of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and the Higher Education Standards Panel (HESP). It supports the equivalent standards in other countries.
“Society is grappling with the role of AI in all aspects of our lives,” said Professor Barney Glover, Chief Commissioner of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC).
“A balance must be struck, and nowhere is this more critical than in higher education. We must get on the front foot to ensure our university graduates are genuinely equipped with the skills and competencies for them to succeed in their chosen field. Judicious use of AI can be a valuable tool, but outsourcing your ability to think, to learn, and to apply this knowledge benefits no one.”
University of Tasmania Pro Vice‑Chancellor (Learning and Teaching Performance) Professor Luke Bereznicki, who developed the Standard, said students need to learn to use AI well – to question it, direct it and know when it's wrong.
“Universities who develop the capabilities to direct AI tools well and assure learning with the Standard will produce the most future‑ready graduates with awards the community can trust.”
Importantly, in using the Assured Assessment Standard universities remain fully autonomous. They design their own courses and assessments. Proudly Human independently audits internally designed programs against the Standard, with no conflict with internal processes, government regulation or professional accreditation. Certified institutions display the certification mark on testamurs and marketing materials – a mark employers will learn to recognise and seek.
The Standard is open now to other universities for adoption, testing and external referencing. Join the early adopter group by getting in touch at contact@assuredassessment.org.
For details of the Assured Assessment Standard, see www.assuredassessment.org.
*AI had no role in the authorship of this media release.