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[FCE] Chinese tech firms freeze AI tools in crackdown on exam cheats | China | The Guardian

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Every year in China, millions of students face a pivotal moment in their lives during the gaokao, the country’s highly competitive university entrance exams. This year, over 13.3 million candidates began the intense four-day testing period on Saturday, June 7, 2025, hoping to secure a coveted university place that could define their future. However, alongside the usual pressure of the exams, students encountered an unexpected restriction: several major Chinese tech companies, including ByteDance, Tencent, and Alibaba, have temporarily disabled certain features of their artificial intelligence (AI) applications to prevent cheating.

These AI tools, such as Doubao and DeepSeek, are widely used by students for studying and completing assignments, offering functions like answering questions or analyzing images. During the gaokao period, however, these apps have displayed messages stating that their services are unavailable to maintain fairness. For example, when a user attempted to upload a question to Doubao, the app refused to help, even when the user claimed it was unrelated to the exams. This temporary suspension has caused frustration among some university students who rely on these tools for other purposes, with a few voicing their irritation online in a lighthearted manner.

The decision to limit AI access stems from growing concerns about cheating in high-stakes exams like the gaokao. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, there is a real risk that it could be misused to gain an unfair advantage. To address this, authorities have not only restricted AI app functions during exam hours but also implemented stricter measures. In some areas, AI-driven monitoring systems are being used to detect suspicious behavior, such as whispering or unusual eye movements between students. Enhanced security checks, biometric identification, and signal blockers for electronic devices have also been introduced to safeguard the integrity of the process.

While most people acknowledge the importance of ensuring fairness, opinions are divided over these restrictions. Some feel inconvenienced by the loss of helpful tools, even temporarily, while others support the measures as a necessary step. This situation raises a wider issue: how can education systems balance the benefits of technological progress with the need to uphold ethical standards? The gaokao’s approach may set a precedent for how technology is managed in academic settings worldwide.

阅读练习

1. What is the main purpose of the gaokao exams in China?

  • A. To evaluate students’ technological skills
  • B. To determine eligibility for university admission
  • C. To test students’ ability to use AI tools
  • D. To promote fairness in education

2. Why have some AI app functions been suspended during the gaokao?

  • A. To encourage students to study harder
  • B. To prevent potential cheating
  • C. To test new security measures
  • D. To limit students’ access to technology

3. How have some university students reacted to the suspension of AI tools?

  • A. They have completely stopped using technology.
  • B. They have expressed frustration in a humorous way online.
  • C. They have demanded the exams be cancelled.
  • D. They have supported the decision without complaint.

4. What additional measures are being used to maintain fairness in the exams?

  • A. Providing extra study materials to students
  • B. Allowing students to use AI under supervision
  • C. Using AI monitoring and biometric identification
  • D. Reducing the number of exam days

5. What broader issue does the article suggest about technology in education?

  • A. Technology should be banned in all academic settings.
  • B. There is a need to balance technological benefits with ethical concerns.
  • C. Students should rely only on AI for learning.
  • D. Fairness in exams is impossible to achieve with technology.