In recent academic discussions, concerns have emerged about how student writing increasingly mirrors the rhetorical tone and structured polish of professional consultancy reports rather than demonstrating authentic analytical reasoning or original insight. Recognizing this transformation, an innovative professor at New York University decided to challenge the phenomenon by radically rethinking the evaluation process. Rather than perceiving artificial intelligence purely as an existential threat to academic integrity, this educator leveraged the very technology that disrupted traditional assessment methods. By introducing AI-integrated oral examinations, the professor created a framework in which students could be tested not only on the final product of their writing but on the depth and clarity of their comprehension.
This new method allows educators to distinguish between surface-level proficiency—often facilitated by sophisticated generative tools—and genuine intellectual engagement. During these AI-assisted interviews, students are prompted to elaborate on their reasoning, defend their interpretations, and demonstrate their capacity to draw connections among complex ideas in real time. Such a format offers a multidimensional approach to evaluation: it highlights independent thought, fosters spontaneous articulation, and minimizes the possibility of automated text substituting for genuine learning.
Within this reimagined academic space, artificial intelligence becomes a collaborative asset rather than a clandestine adversary. The professor’s approach illustrates how technology, when thoughtfully applied, can fortify the authenticity of education rather than erode it. This pedagogical experiment has resonated across the academic community as a compelling example of how institutions can evolve alongside new technological realities, ensuring that learning remains an inquiry-driven and deeply human pursuit in an era increasingly defined by intelligent automation and synthetic authorship.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/nyu-professor-ai-oral-exam-mckinsey-memo-business-school-2026-1
