AI Special Interest Group

Over the past two decades, exam marking has transformed dramatically, from paper scripts circulating through complex postal and manual workflows to sophisticated digital platforms and, more recently, AI-enabled systems designed to enhance speed, consistency, security and scalability.

In this free AI SIG webinar, Patrick Coates will:

• share his experience and knowledge of high-volume scanning of handwritten scripts into secure digital images (e.g., PDF/TIFF) with centralised storage, enabling faster distribution to markers, reducing the risk of lost scripts, and improving audit trails—while keeping marking judgements human-led.
• highlight how purpose-built on-screen marking systems introduced capabilities such as digital annotation, item-level marking, standardisation tools (seed scripts/exemplars), and real-time monitoring. Processes supporting more consistent and scalable marking and earlier detection of marker drift or bias.
• explore the transition to AI-assisted marking, where advances in machine learning and NLP enable AI scoring; used most commonly in formative contexts, with human-in-the-loop approaches applied more cautiously in summative settings. Partrick discusses typical use cases (e.g., pre-scoring/triage and flagging anomalous responses for human review) and the ‘road ahead’ including the need for transparency/explainability and defensible regulatory frameworks as AI becomes part of scalable assessment.

What if every answer your adaptive quiz generates added another gram of CO₂ to the atmosphere. Would you still call it “paperless progress”?

AI-driven assessment promises instant feedback and richer data, yet its hidden energy hunger threatens the very future our students are being tested for. 

In this free webinar we connect the dots between back-end model calls, front-end dashboards and real-world emissions. You’ll learn to weigh accuracy against energy, redesign workflows for minimal computation, and set climate-aligned metrics that belong in every assessment policy. Let’s make evidence-based learning truly sustainable.

AI in e-marking essays and short answers

Discover the latest trends and advancements in AI-driven assessment. This in-depth panel discussion tailored for those interested in AI e-marking of essay-style and short-answer questions.

Our panel of industry experts included Nikki Bardsley from Kaplan Assessments, Manjinder Kainth from Graide, Ben Rockliffe from AlphaPlus, James Lambert from Vision Marker and Vali Huseyn from Vretta.

This event shared insights on the cutting-edge AI technologies transforming assessment practices, balancing automated marking with human expertise, addressing ethical concerns and enhancing exam reliability.