Rethinking Software Design Assessment for the AI Era

The World Economic Forum highlights the growing employer demand for critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-management skills, yet AI-enabled automation threatens opportunities to develop them. This session showcases the undergraduate Software Design module at Birmingham City University (BCU), an innovative, authentic assessment co-created with industrial partners for a diverse STEM cohort. It embeds real-world enterprise case studies, inclusive assessment modes, and reflective practice to enable learners to demonstrate the skills and confidence demanded by employers in an AI-enabled world. Through embedded industry networking, challenges, and prototype showcases, this assessment design has created measurable TEF Gold standard impact within and beyond the classroom, boosting student engagement and satisfaction (10% increase in student satisfaction from 23/4 to 24/5), academic results (10% increase in first attempt pass rates, 8% increase in average mark achieved and 17% decrease in ethnic attainment gaps from 23/4 to 24/5), and employability.