South African private tertiary institution Stadio has denied claims that it has begun using artificial intelligence to mark student papers, even as it formalized a structured framework for the use of student AI that mandates the technology in certain assignments.
A MyBroadband reader, who previously received payment to assist in marking Stadio assignments, alleged that the institute has started reducing human marking workload with AI tools. A lecturer at the institute, who had outsourced some marking to Reader, said students are now expected to upload more of their assignments for online marking, with some assignments only requiring lecturers to upload memos while Stadio's systems handle the rest. Pathak said the number of assignments Mark received from lecturers had dropped from about four per year to one or two.
Esther Venter, dean of teaching, learning and student success at Stadio Higher Education, rejected the allegation. “Marking is undertaken by appropriately qualified academic staff, in line with our institutional policies and quality assurance procedures,” he said. Venter said any potential future use of AI tools in marking would be carefully evaluated to ensure alignment with academic standards, fairness and regulatory requirements. “Currently, all identified decisions are the responsibility of human academics, and established processes are in place to ensure quality and consistency.”
The proliferation of generic AI tools in higher education has been a hotly debated topic since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. Some institutions initially attempted to restrict the technology, particularly students' use of it in assignments, often relying on AI detection tools, which have been widely criticized as unreliable.
The 2025 presentation by Jacques Nieuwoudt, head of Stadio's LLB department, argued that AI detection tools as a stand-alone approach were a dead end. Nieuwoudt also said that AI detection increases the digital divide, as students from more privileged backgrounds may find it easier to manipulate output to avoid detection.
Stadio has since adopted a structured framework for AI use, recently announcing a “traffic light” model that not only allows student AI to be used in some assignments but explicitly requires it in others. The model classifies assignments as follows: Red, where the use of AI is not allowed, for assessments designed to build independent skills such as critical thinking, communication and problem-solving; Amber, where the use of AI is optional for tasks requiring brainstorming and editing; and green, where the use of AI is essential for repetitive tasks or idea generation aimed at increasing productivity.
Jolanda Morkel, Stadio's head of instructional design and a senior research academic, said the institute recognized that AI is not going away and should not be afraid of its use in education. He argued that AI skills are becoming as important as reading, writing and numeracy. “In the workplace, there will be tasks where AI is not appropriate, there will be tasks where it can be helpful, and there will be tasks where it is indispensable,” she said. “AI is one of the defining technologies of our time. By adopting it as a partner in education, we are ensuring that our graduates are not only ready to adapt, but also to thrive.”