Stadio, South Africa’s largest private higher education institution, has formally disputed allegations that it is replacing human markers with artificial intelligence. The clarification follows reports from external markers suggesting a significant decrease in human workload due to new automated systems.
According to a report, frequent external marker alleged that marking opportunities had dropped by nearly 50%, with claims from within the institution suggesting that lecturers now only need to upload memorandums for systems to handle the grading.
“Human Academics Remain Responsible”
In response to these claims, Dr. Esther Venter, Stadio’s Dean for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, maintained that marking remains a human-led process.
- Policy Compliance: Venter stated that marking is conducted by “appropriately qualified academic staff” in line with quality assurance protocols.
- Current Status: All final marking decisions currently rest with human academics.
- Future Outlook: While the institution monitors emerging technology, any future AI integration would undergo rigorous evaluation for fairness and regulatory alignment.
The “Traffic Light” Framework: Mandatory AI for Students
While Stadio denies using AI for grading, the institution is leading the charge in requiring students to use AI for their coursework. Recognizing that AI proficiency is now a core workplace skill, Stadio has implemented a “Traffic Light” model for assignments:
| Category | AI Status | Purpose |
| Red | Not Permitted | Builds independent critical thinking and problem-solving skills. |
| Amber | Optional | Used for brainstorming, structuring, and editing tasks. |
| Green | Mandatory | Required for repetitive tasks or idea generation to boost productivity. |
Dr. Jolanda Morkel, head of instructional design at Stadio, emphasized that AI skills are becoming as essential as literacy and numeracy. The goal is to ensure graduates are “future-ready” for a workplace where AI is often indispensable.
