Ofqual’s approach to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the qualifications sector

Ofqual's approach to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the qualifications sector

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is the independent regulator of qualifications and assessments for England.

The emergence of widely accessible generative artificial intelligence (AI) in 2023 raised several new considerations for the regulation of qualifications and assessments. These include new opportunities for AI to support the design, development and delivery of high-quality assessment, alongside new risks around AI's use in non-exam assessments. Ofqual has established 5 key objectives that have shaped our AI regulatory work:

• Ensuring fairness for students 
• Maintaining validity of qualifications 
• Protecting security 
• Maintaining public confidence  
• Enabling innovation

This position statement is published in response to a request from the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. It sets out Ofqual's approach to regulating AI, and how our objectives connect with the overarching principles set out in the government's A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation White Paper.