Online assessment is facing a pivotal turning point as the rapid proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has fundamentally disrupted traditional higher education. This evolution challenges long-standing assumptions about authorship, originality, and the validity of student work in digital environments. As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become integrated into student workflows, conventional assessment methods such as timed quizzes and standard essays have become increasingly vulnerable to academic misconduct and “cognitive outsourcing”. This shift necessitates a move away from surveillance-based detection and toward a proactive reimagining of how learning is measured.
This research introduces the Comprehensive Framework for AI-Resilient Assessment (CFARA), a holistic model developed through a mixed-methods investigation across six countries. By synthesizing a systematic review of contemporary literature with qualitative insights from 64 educators and 210 students, the study identifies four essential pillars for sustainable assessment: pedagogical design, technological adaptation, ethical governance, and institutional infrastructure.
The findings emphasize that the future of academic integrity lies in authentic, adaptive, and process-oriented tasks. By shifting the focus from the final product to the journey of learning—incorporating reflection, version tracking, and real-world problem-solving institutions can foster deeper cognitive engagement while mitigating the risks posed by automation. This article provides a timely, evidence-based roadmap for educational leaders navigating the complex intersection of AI, pedagogy, and ethics.
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