Artificial intelligence is transforming the way exams are conducted. The same AI agents that can whisper answers or look up questions online are now becoming our strongest defense against exam fraud.
At the recent COTS Security 2025 Conference, leaders in education, certification, and technology discussed one big question: Is remote proctoring still viable in the age of AI?
The answer is yes. Not despite AI, but because of it.
AI agents are systems that can watch, listen, and act for a person. In an exam, that could mean analyzing questions, finding answers online, or feeding responses to a test taker. These tools are real, and they present new risks.
Every action from such an AI leaves a digital trace. Patterns in typing speed, gaze, latency, or even reflections on a screen can reveal when something is off. Modern AI proctoring platforms use these traces to detect cheating. Once they identify a pattern, they can spot it instantly in thousands of future exams. Human proctors simply cannot match that speed or consistency.
In short, AI can both cause and stop cheating. It depends on how we use it.
Many people still believe test centers are safer just because they are physical locations. In reality, security depends on what you can see, control, and track.
Remote proctoring today combines multiple layers of defense:
These layers work together to create a complete digital audit trail. If something unusual happens, investigators can review exact evidence. In contrast, an in-person test may leave no proof at all.
Covert devices like earpieces or cameras can appear anywhere, even in test centers. The difference online is that AI can detect them by analyzing reflections, posture, and lighting patterns. Some systems even use sound or latency data to flag possible hidden aids.
What once required months of retraining for staff can now be handled in hours through AI model updates. Each new attempt to cheat helps the system become smarter and faster.
Early versions of online testing could be frustrating to set up. Candidates had to adjust lighting, test internet speed, and scan their surroundings. That process has now been streamlined.
Modern systems perform automatic environment checks in just a few minutes. Mobile cameras can verify room conditions quickly, and biometric enrollment has become almost instant. It feels more like a smooth airport check-in than a tedious inspection.
The goal is not to make testing harder. It is to make cheating impossible.
Millions of people depend on remote testing for access to education and career advancement. This includes working professionals, international students, people in rural areas, and individuals with disabilities.
Giving up on remote exams because of new risks would mean closing the door on opportunity. With proper investment, AI can strengthen integrity without sacrificing access.
The most secure future for testing is one where humans and AI work side by side. AI can handle scale, speed, and fatigue, while humans bring judgment, empathy, and oversight. Together, they can ensure fairness and consistency worldwide.
As one COTS panelist said,
Security isn’t about replacing humans. It’s about empowering them with technology that never gets tired.
AI agents are forcing remote proctoring to evolve faster, and that is positive progress. Each new challenge teaches the system to defend better. Each update makes the next exam safer.
If the education and certification industry continues to invest in AI security, remote exams can soon become more secure than traditional test centers, while remaining accessible to everyone.