Generative AI-Enhanced Oral Exams in Economics Education

†Georgia Gwinnett College, ‡University of Houston-Clear Lake, *SUNY Cortland Cheating on exams is a growing concern in higher education, especially with the rise of Generative AI (GenAI).This challenge is more pronounced in online/hybrid settings where traditional monitoring struggles to keep up with AI tools.We developed an innovative oral exam using GenAI in hybrid economics classes.A GenAI prompt was designed that incorporated course learning objectives and generated personalized questions that evaluated students' knowledge and provided real-time encouraging and formative feedback.Students collaborated in pairs using ChatGPT during Zoom sessions.The use of this prompt simulated a structured oral exam that elicited detailed responses, and reinforced comprehension, critical thinking, and application of key macroeconomic concepts.The approach promoted engagement and minimized opportunities for academic dishonesty, making it a practical alternative.