Excelsoft Technologies, a global provider of learning and assessment solutions, and AQA, one of the UK’s leading exam boards, today announced the establishment of a joint AI taskforce dedicated to researching and developing responsible artificial intelligence approaches for e-marking handwritten exam responses. The initiative brings together AQA’s long-standing experience in high-stakes assessment and Excelsoft’s capabilities in AI, data science and digital assessment.
The collaboration recognizes that marking will continue to rely on human expertise for the foreseeable future. The taskforce will explore how AI can be used as a supportive tool to enhance examiner consistency, accuracy and efficiency while prioritizing fairness, transparency and strong data governance. The research will focus on trustworthy models, workflows, and guardrails that reinforce examiner judgment rather than replace it.
“Assessment depends on trust — trust that every script is evaluated fairly, consistently and securely,” said Sudhanva Dhananjaya, Chairman and Managing Director of Excelsoft. “By working with AQA, we are committing to research that ensures AI supports the marking process responsibly, with ethics, human oversight and student privacy at the core.”
As part of its mandate, the taskforce will undertake co-designed research projects, including examining human-in-the-loop AI models, developing approaches to mitigate algorithmic bias, establishing secure data protocols for handling handwritten responses and marking data, and creating reporting frameworks that allow for full transparency and explainability of AI involvement.
“Our ambition goes beyond deploying technology — it’s about establishing responsible standards for how AI should support marking,” said Adarsh Sudhindra, Vice President – Products & Innovation at Excelsoft. “Accountability, clarity and learner benefit must guide how AI is used in assessment.”
Findings from the taskforce will contribute to future product development, service models, policy dialogue and industry knowledge-sharing. Selected research outcomes may be published through pilot studies, white papers or sector forums, subject to governance requirements.
Excelsoft Technologies provides advanced e-assessment and learning solutions to education systems, awarding bodies, governments, corporations and training providers across the world. The company supports large-scale examinations, competency-based assessment and digital learning ecosystems with modern AI-enabled platforms and cloud infrastructure. AQA is a major UK awarding organisation, delivering GCSEs, A-levels and other qualifications taken by millions of students each year. Its work is grounded in research, technical rigor and a commitment to fair and accurate assessment that supports learner progression.
