By developing technology for online exam proctoring, this solution demonstrates how AI can be a valuable tool for preserving academic integrity.

The Invigilator is an artificial intelligence-powered solution for online exam proctoring. Launched in 2020, it uses AI to automatically detect fraudulent behavior.

The startup recently raised 195 million rand (about $11.1 million) in a funding round led by Kaltroco, a family investment firm based in the Channel Islands. The company plans to use the capital to accelerate its global expansion, enhance its AI models, add multilingual features, and form international partnerships in regions such as North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

"This investment gives us the ability to ramp up AI development. The creation of our live AI monitoring technology means The Invigilator is moving to constant assessment monitoring through AI," Nicholas Riemer, co-founder of The Invigilator, said. 

The Invigilator integrates several technologies, including facial recognition from random selfies compared to a pre-recorded photo, GPS tracking to identify potential collusion when multiple students are in close proximity, intermittent screen capture to detect the use of unauthorized resources, and audio recording to spot suspicious conversations. It also performs anti-plagiarism checks using OCR. Alerts generated by the system are presented on a centralized dashboard for review by instructors, combining automation with human judgment.

Designed for accessibility, the application is compatible with low-end smartphones and modest PCs. It is notable for its low data consumption and ability to function offline, making it an ideal solution for environments with limited connectivity. The Invigilator is available on iOS, Huawei's AppGallery, and Android, where it has been downloaded over 500,000 times, according to data from the Play Store.

Adoni Conrad Quenum