The suspension of AI tools coincides with China’s largest university entrance exam, as millions of students take the highly competitive Gaokao.
In a significant step to prevent cheating, major Chinese technology companies have temporarily disabled some of their AI services during the annual Gaokao, a crucial exam for millions of students across China. More than 13.3 million students are participating in this high-stakes four-day examination, which plays a pivotal role in determining their access to China’s limited university spots.
The Gaokao, which started on Saturday, holds immense significance for Chinese students, as it plays an important role in shaping their educational and professional futures. In light of the exam’s significance, Chinese authorities and educational institutions have taken strong measures to ensure a fair testing environment, including cracking down on cheating through AI tools.
Suspension of AI Services to Maintain Fairness
In an effort to prevent cheating, several major tech companies in China have disabled specific AI functions that students may have used during the exam period. For example, Doubao, a popular AI-driven question-answering app owned by ByteDance (the parent company of TikTok), has paused its services during exam hours. When users attempted to use the app, they received an automated message stating, “During the college entrance examination, the question-answering service is temporarily unavailable.“
Other platforms like DeepSeek, a newly introduced AI tool in China, have also limited their availability. A message on the app stated that their services would be unavailable during the Gaokao hours to “ensure fairness.” Leading tech companies such as Tencent’s Yuanbao and Alibaba’s Qwen have disabled features like image recognition to prevent unfair advantages during the exam.
Despite the inconvenience caused to students, these companies have not publicly commented on the suspension of these features, which was largely reported by university students who were locked out of their tools during the critical exam period.
Additional Anti-Cheating Measures: AI Surveillance and Security Protocols
Disabling AI tools is only one element of the comprehensive approach aimed at maintaining integrity during the Gaokao. Many regions across China have deployed AI-based monitoring systems to detect any abnormal behavior during the exam. For example, in Jiangxi province, authorities will review surveillance footage after the exams to identify any suspicious actions, such as whispering or exchanging glances between students. Any violations will be dealt with according to the country’s strict examination regulations.
Furthermore, the government has introduced biometric identification and digital device screening to prevent students from using unauthorized tools during the exam. Radio signal blockers have also been installed at exam venues to disrupt any attempts to communicate with external sources.
Impact of Gaokao Week on Daily Life in China
The Gaokao is more than just an academic event; it is a cultural phenomenon in China. The pressure on students is immense, and several cities have taken steps to ease the burden. Public events have been postponed, office start times adjusted, and priority traffic lanes created for students heading to the exam. These measures aim to reduce stress and ensure that students can arrive at their exam venues on time.
Student Reactions: Frustration Mixed with Humor
As AI tools go offline and surveillance measures tighten, many students have taken to social media to voice their frustrations. One popular Weibo post humorously read, “College entrance exam candidates, you are all st. I can’t use DeepSeek, so I have to download ChatGPT again. I hope you all end up in community college,” one user joked on social media, highlighting how much students rely on AI tools and the frustration caused by having limited access to them during this important time.
The Gaokao: A Defining Moment in Every Student’s Life
The Gaokao is an annual examination that has a profound impact on the lives of millions of Chinese students. The results of the exam not only determine whether students can attend university but also which universities and programs they are eligible for. The fierce competition and years of preparation make this exam one of the most important events in a young person’s life in China.
China’s crackdown on AI tools during the Gaokao highlights the country’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the exam and ensuring that it remains a fair and transparent process. The government’s measures to regulate the use of AI tools reflect the broader efforts to balance technological advancement with ethical considerations, particularly in high-stakes situations like the Gaokao.
As the exam period progresses, the actions of tech companies, students, and educational authorities will continue to shape the way the exam unfolds, with millions of students hoping to secure a spot in China’s prestigious universities.
