Uni Report: South Africa's UFS shifts academic integrity approach in AI era

Story Date: 21st May 2026

University: UFS, South Africa

Author: Christelle du Toit

The story:

The University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa has announced that it will discontinue the use of AI detection software across all faculties from 1 July 2026, citing growing concerns about the reliability, fairness, and transparency of AI detection tools. While plagiarism similarity checking will continue, AI detection functionality will be removed.

Instead, the university is encouraging academics to redesign assessments that emphasise critical thinking, originality, reflection, and authentic learning, while helping students develop the skills to use AI responsibly and ethically.

Why it matters for A4-AI (Academics for AI):

Rather than focusing on detecting AI use, UFS is prioritising assessment redesign, academic judgement, and AI literacy. As AI becomes an everyday part of higher education, universities will increasingly need to prepare students to use these tools responsibly while ensuring assessments measure genuine understanding and critical thinking.

This reflects the broader transition from AI policing to AI-enabled learning, a theme that is central to A4-AI's mission.

However, in their acceptance of AI usage by students, universities should not surrender the need to ensure AI is used fairly, proportionally and not to the detriment in the developing of skills in students such as creative thinking and collaboration.

Questions for academia:

Is there a fine line in accepting the use of AI by students as opposed to surrendering to the fact?

Read the original article: Here at UFS