Gaokao Cheating Sparks a Sudden AI Freeze

AI Shutdown: China Unplugs Chatbots for University Entrance Exam

In an unprecedented move to uphold academic integrity, major Chinese technology companies have temporarily disabled key features of their artificial intelligence tools. This measure coincides with the nation’s formidable university entrance examination, the gaokao. The suspension highlights a growing, global concern: how to manage the use of sophisticated AI in high-stakes academic environments. The temporary shutdown affects millions, showcasing the immense cultural and societal weight of these pivotal tests.

For students who anticipated using advanced AI for a competitive advantage, their plans were abruptly blocked. The move signals a new front in the battle against academic dishonesty, with technology firms playing a central role.

The Gaokao’s Decisive Role

The gaokao is a cornerstone of the Chinese education system, a gruelling multi-day examination that dictates the future of millions. A figure exceeding 13 million students is competing this year for the limited placements available at universities. The results of these tests can determine a young person's entire career path and social standing, making it a period of intense pressure for students and their families.

This examination is not merely an academic assessment; it is a profound social event. Success is a source of immense family pride, while failure can lead to another year of intense study. For many, particularly those from rural or less affluent backgrounds, the gaokao represents the most viable path to upward social mobility and a better life. The merit-based system is seen as a great equaliser in a society of 1.4 billion people.

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A Coordinated Tech Blackout

It appeared that leading Chinese technology corporations acted together to stop dishonest practices. Companies including ByteDance, the parent of TikTok, along with Tencent and Alibaba, suspended picture-recognition functions in their AI applications during the exam period. Users attempting to upload photos of exam questions to these platforms received automated messages explaining the service was unavailable.

The Doubao application from ByteDance, for instance, told its users that its feature for answering questions was suspended. The app cited specific directives related to the period of the university admissions test. In a similar fashion, DeepSeek, a notable new platform for generative AI, let people know its service would not function at particular times. The stated purpose was to maintain integrity throughout the testing. Other platforms like Tencent’s Yuanbao, Alibaba's Qwen, and Moonshot's Kimi followed suit, disabling image-related features.

A Digital Lockdown

The corporations involved have made no official announcements regarding the deactivation. Information about the shutdown seems to have circulated mostly from university scholars. They found themselves unable to access programs they rely on for their academic work and assignments. This lack of official communication has led to speculation about the level of coordination with government authorities.

The suspension has not been without its critics. Frustrated users took to social media platforms like Weibo to voice their complaints. One user humorously lamented their inability to use DeepSeek for uploading pictures, joking that they hoped all the gaokao candidates would end up in community college. This light-hearted grumbling underscores a growing reliance on AI tools for everyday academic tasks among the student population.

More Than Just an AI Ban

The deactivation of AI chatbots is just one piece of a comprehensive strategy to combat cheating. Authorities have implemented a multi-layered security apparatus around the gaokao. These measures involve more rigorous inspections upon entry to testing locations, biometric identification such as facial recognition and fingerprint scans, and more thorough checks for any electronic gadgets.

Devices that jam radio frequencies are utilized near examination areas to stop all forms of electronic messaging. In some regions, the security level for transporting exam papers is higher than that for cash in armoured bank vehicles. The papers themselves are classified as top state secrets and are printed in designated prisons to ensure maximum security. Teachers involved in drafting the questions are sent to isolated locations without internet access for months.

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AI Watching the Watchers

Ironically, while some AI is being shut down, other forms are being deployed to monitor the exams. Multiple provinces now employ surveillance technology driven by AI within the examination halls. This technology is designed to identify unusual conduct, like hushed talking or frequent looks exchanged by candidates, or even inattentive proctors.

In regions including Jiangxi, Hubei, and Guangdong, this type of surveillance technology gives a live analysis of video feeds, flagging suspicious activities for human review. After the exams, officials will review the footage, and any confirmed misconduct will be dealt with strictly. This use of AI adds another layer of scrutiny, aiming to create a completely fair and transparent testing environment. The technology is sensitive enough to capture minute actions and pinpoint suspected irregularities to individual candidates.

A Nation on Hold

The societal significance of the gaokao is so profound that entire cities adapt to accommodate the event. Disruptive activities like public performances are often postponed. Working hours for offices might be pushed back to lessen road congestion, and special priority routes are established so that candidates can get to their tests promptly.

These actions demonstrate the immense importance that Chinese culture places on the gaokao. It is considered a pivotal rite of passage that can shape an individual's destiny. The collective effort to ensure a smooth and fair examination process demonstrates the deep-seated cultural value placed on this single event. The atmosphere is one of national focus, with everything else taking a backseat to the success of the next generation.

The Immense Pressure to Succeed

The high-stakes nature of the gaokao places immense psychological pressure on students. For years leading up to the exam, their lives are dominated by intense study and preparation. This pressure comes from parents, teachers, and society at large, all of whom have high expectations. The fear of disappointing one's family is a significant emotional burden.

This intense stress can have serious consequences for mental health, with elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders among students preparing for the gaokao. The competitive environment can also undermine collaborative learning and peer support networks. The extreme nature of the examination creates an immensely stressful experience for the students involved.

Regional Disparities and Reforms

A significant point of contention surrounding the gaokao is the issue of regional inequality. Students from major urban centres often have access to better educational resources, including more experienced teachers and advanced study materials, compared to their rural counterparts. Furthermore, university admission quotas can vary significantly by province, leading to situations where a student in one province needs a much higher score to get into a top university than a student from another region.

For example, Henan, a province with a large number of candidates, has only one top-tier university, making the competition there particularly fierce. A student from Henan might need a very high score to enter a local university, while a student with a lower score from another province like Shaanxi could gain admission. This disparity has raised concerns about fairness and social equity.

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The Evolving Gaokao

In response to some of these criticisms, China initiated a new round of gaokao reforms in 2014. The reforms aim to provide students with greater flexibility and move away from a system that relies solely on a single test score. One key change has been the elimination of the traditional arts and science streams.

Under the new "3+3" or "3+1+2" models, students still take compulsory exams in Chinese, maths, and a foreign language. However, they can now choose additional elective subjects based on their interests and prospective university majors. These electives can be a mix of humanities and sciences. In some pilot regions, students are also allowed two attempts at the English exam and can use their highest score.

A Focus on Holistic Development

The goal of these reforms is to foster a more comprehensive and multi-dimensional evaluation system. Authorities hope to encourage personalised learning and place more emphasis on students' individual interests and holistic development, rather than just rote memorisation. The reforms are being rolled out progressively, with an increasing number of provinces adopting the new system each year.

A remaining challenge is that while the reforms offer more flexibility, the fundamental issue of relying heavily on test scores persists. There are also difficulties related to the uneven distribution of educational resources, which could affect students' ability to make meaningful choices about their elective subjects. Despite these challenges, the reforms represent a significant shift towards a more student-centred approach to education.

Global Implications and the Future

The intense competition of the gaokao is also driving more Chinese students to consider higher education opportunities abroad. A record 13.42 million students registered for the exam in 2024, an increase of over half a million from the previous year. This growing number of candidates competing for a limited number of top domestic university spots makes overseas study an increasingly attractive alternative.

The developments in China, particularly the temporary shutdown of AI tools, offer a glimpse into the future of academic integrity in a technologically advanced world. As AI becomes more sophisticated and accessible, educational institutions globally will need to grapple with similar challenges. China's proactive, albeit drastic, measures during the gaokao provide a compelling case study for how societies might navigate the complex relationship between technology, education, and fairness.