United KingdomEducation2024 – ongoing

University of York

Generative AI in business-plan assessment

York permitted AI in business plans and found limited critical engagement across 60 submissions

WorkingCompany's own claimOfficial ↗

Problem

Students accused teammates of cheating with generative AI. Staff lacked reliable detection tools to resolve those disputes.

Approach

York approved a pilot in September 2024 allowing AI research and writing for group business plans. Students were directed to Gemini or Copilot and asked to disclose prompts. Workshops taught critical evaluation; individual reflective essays remained outside the permission.

Results

60business plans reviewed by tutors who reported limited critical engagement with AICompany's own claim[1]

Takeaway

Cheating accusations disappeared, but tutors found limited critical engagement. Reported workload benefits were anecdotal.

Sources

Case study: Integrating GenAI into assessment on the ‘Business Planning and Sustainable Entrepreneurship’ module
University of York2025Company publication

Source summaries

[1]University of York2025

Claire Sinclair described the pilot and its outcomes. Grades remained broadly unchanged, while tutors reviewing 60 business plans found limited critical engagement with AI.

Full details are in the original sources.

Added 1 Nov 2026 · Updated 1 Nov 2026