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China Disables AI Chatbots During Gaokao, Warns of Result Scams

Major AI apps paused photo-recognition, Q&A functions to prevent cheating during the four-day exams.

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Students preparing for China’s rigorous gaokao college entrance exams, seen here using digital devices and study materials in a modern library setting. Amid fears of AI-enabled cheating, Chinese tech giants have suspended chatbot features while authorities deploy surveillance and network jammers to maintain exam integrity.
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Photo: Marco Bertorello / AFP (Getty Images)

Overview

  • Top chatbots including Alibaba’s Qwen, ByteDance’s Doubao, Tencent’s Yuanbao, Moonshot’s Kimi and DeepSeek shut down image-recognition and question-answer features from June 7 to 10 to uphold exam fairness.
  • More than 13.3 million students sat the gaokao this year, China’s decisive multi-day test that largely determines university admissions.
  • Authorities deployed AI-powered monitoring to flag irregular behaviors, conducted biometric ID checks, screened for digital devices and used radio signal blockers at exam centres.
  • With results due around the end of June, officials have cautioned against phishing scams that use fake notices of AI-detected cheating and demand fees.
  • China continues to expand AI education in schools but has drawn a firm line against its misuse for cheating during exams.