Moldova tightens rules on AI in university theses

Moldova has approved a national framework regulation on academic integrity in higher education, introducing common rules on plagiarism, unauthorised use of AI and other forms of academic fraud.

The regulation, approved by the government and developed by the Ministry of Education and Research, sets a single framework that all higher education institutions in Moldova will be required to implement.

Under the new rules, students will have to declare whether they used AI in their academic work and explain how they used it. The ministry said the framework is intended to increase transparency and strengthen responsibility in the use of digital tools.

Acceptable AI use may include support functions such as proofreading, formatting or organising material, while core academic work, including analysis, interpretation and conclusions, must remain the student’s own intellectual contribution.

The regulation also classifies academic integrity violations by severity, with sanctions ranging from rewriting assignments to suspension or expulsion. Academic staff and supervisors may also face disciplinary measures if they fail to enforce integrity rules.

The framework forms part of Moldova’s wider effort to strengthen trust in higher education, including the planned use of a national anti-plagiarism system for bachelor’s and master’s theses.

Why does it matter?

Moldova’s rules show how universities are moving from informal guidance on generative AI towards enforceable academic integrity frameworks. Requiring students to disclose AI use can help distinguish between acceptable assistance and improper authorship, while preserving the value of independent analysis and critical thinking. The approach also reflects a wider education-policy challenge: institutions need to adapt assessment and integrity systems without banning useful digital tools entirely.

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