Analyzing alternative academic assessments (AAAs) in universities with cheat-proofing behaviors and instructor-formulated mechanics in an AI-dependent setting

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has profoundly disrupted the education system, reshaping how knowledge is accessed, delivered, and assessed. Tools such as ChatGPT and other generative AI models have revolutionized academic practices by offering instantaneous information retrieval, personalized tutoring, automated grading, and content creation. This paper investigated the strategies employed by higher education instructors in evaluating student outputs in light of the challenges posed by AI to learners’ critical thinking abilities and cognitive development. A total of 22 instructors from higher education institutions in Central Visayas, Philippines, were purposively selected to participate in one-on-one interviews. The findings revealed a profound shift in the academic assessment landscape of higher education due to the use of AI technologies. Instructors expressed heightened concern over academic dishonesty, intellectual disengagement, and over-reliance on AI, fearing that students were bypassing essential cognitive processes and undermining the authenticity of their academic outputs. These concerns prompted instructors to adopt Alternative Assessment Approaches (AAAs) designed to reinforce academic integrity and critical thinking. Key strategies included real-world reflective tasks that demand contextualized knowledge application, scaffolded assignments that track the learning process, timed assessments to limit AI interference, and the use of reflective journals to build metacognitive awareness. The pervasive use of AI challenges traditional assessment methods, prompting educators to adopt more process-oriented, reflective, and context-based strategies that prioritize critical thinking and authentic engagement. Policy reforms may be necessary to guide ethical AI use and ensure assessments continue to serve as valid measures of student understanding and intellectual growth.