Denmark’s folkeskole pupils and school leaders are asking Education Minister Magnus Heunicke for clear national rules on how AI may be used in class. The call was made on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the annual Sorø education summit.
DR reports that the pupils’ organization Danske Skoleelever wants what it calls crystal clear AI guidelines, and wants them quickly. The demand came after Heunicke earlier the same day presented an urgent package against AI cheating in upper secondary education.
According to DR, that package followed reports from gymnasiums across the country about cheating with AI. Schools also said pupils were becoming weaker at writing, calculating and thinking independently. In the folkeskole, pupils are likewise unsure about what they are allowed to use AI for.
Madicken Luther, chair of Danske Skoleelever, says it is important that schools keep up and teach pupils to use AI constructively. She points out that the rules vary sharply from teacher to teacher. Some allow extensive use, while others treat opening an AI overview in a Google search as close to cheating.
Luther says clear guidelines from the minister would prevent many of the conflicts now arising in primary and lower secondary school. Skolelederforeningen, which represents school leaders, has pushed for the same clarity for some time. Its chair, Dorte Andreas, says she has been impatient and also wants teacher and management skills developed.
Asked how busy the minister is, Andreas told DR that he is very busy. She added that the work should not be rushed at the expense of careful thinking. Heunicke said he is listening and must work out what is needed so pupils learn about AI without misusing it.
The minister said he has recognized the need for a gear shift and for moving quickly with concrete measures. He noted that AI development is extremely fast and lands directly on pupils’ computers and phones. Pupils should use AI where it is relevant, he said, but not when a task’s rules forbid it.
Wider package and earlier guidance
DR notes that the government has already announced plans for an overall national AI strategy for the entire school and education sector. The Guardian reports that the upper secondary measures include oral defenses of written essays and more controlled writing in school. Politiken reported that changes are expected after the summer.
The Ministry of Children and Education published recommendations on generative AI in the folkeskole in June 2025. The ministry stated there were no national rules at that time and advised schools to set common frameworks and strengthen teacher competence. In January 2026, it published a practical guide on lawful and responsible AI use in education.
