Media release – Issues and opportunities presented by generative AI in education

In its submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training Inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system, Independent Schools Australia (ISA) has made seven recommendations to help to chart a safe and ethical path that maximises opportunities and minimises potential risks for schools.

As the education sector considers the potential opportunities and risks of generative AI, ISA has highlighted examples of the ways six Independent schools are already exploring the rapidly evolving technology.

ISA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Graham Catt said, “Advances in the development of generative AI technology are rapid and exponential, which makes this issue particularly pressing.

“Some schools have been able to embrace generative AI and gain insights that the whole education sector could benefit from, but the real message from our sector is that we need frameworks, structures, and resources to support our schools and teachers.

“We see great potential for generative AI to support individual learning needs and play a role in reducing educational disadvantage.

“But along with these opportunities come significant risks.

“The stakes are high, and leadership from governments is essential if we are to develop and deliver safe, effective educational AI technologies,” Mr Catt said.

ISA looks forward to the consultation process for the national AI framework for education that is currently being developed to cover safeguarding, ethical use, equity and integrity as core principles.

The framework should inform initial teacher education courses to ensure the next generation of teachers will be using generative AI in their teaching and assessment practices and guiding students who will also inevitably be using the technology.

ISA also recommends that resources for educators on generative AI in education should be made readily available on a dedicated website.

Other ISA recommendations include forming a federal education advisory body consisting of key stakeholders of representatives from all education sectors and academics to examine the benefits and risk of generative AI and inform education policy.

ISA is the peak body representing 1,209 Independent schools with 688,638 enrolled students (full time equivalent), accounting for approximately 17 per cent of Australian school enrolments and a workforce of 115,090 people.