The education ministry said the policy, which is experimental, will apply only to the oral component of the diploma exam. Students will have one hour to prepare their presentations and may use any available resources, including AI, before meeting examiners.

Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye explained that the scheme aims to reflect the balance between digital learning and academic standards, noting that students must be ready for life in both analogue and digital worlds.

Authorities stressed that written English exams will remain more traditional, with students required to complete sections by hand to limit cheating and encourage personal writing styles.

The use of AI will begin as a pilot in schools that choose to participate.