On Tuesday, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education, and Training tabled its report, ‘Study Buddy or Influencer’, following its inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system.
The release of the report follows moves by the Federal Government and experts from across the education sector to ensure Generative AI is used responsibly and safely in Australia’s schools.
In a statement, Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said Generative AI “presents exciting opportunities and yet high stakes risks for the Australian education system”, and outlined 25 recommendations for Australia’s schools to consider.
“A key focus of the recommendations is to integrate generative artificial intelligence into Australia’s national curriculum as a study buddy for all students to use,” Chesters said. “These tools need to be fit-for-purpose, relevant to the Australian context, sensitive to gender and cultural considerations, and trained on data that is based on the national curriculum.”
The Committee said Generative AI “has the potential to enhance educational experiences and deliver stronger student outcomes, particularly for Australia’s most vulnerable cohorts of students”.
“The Committee also believes, risks related to the use of the technology must also be addressed urgently,” she said.
“Of particular importance is the need to protect users’, especially students’ data, and ensure that educational providers do not select GenAI tools that will store users’ data offshore or sell them to third parties.”
The Committee noted that due to the rapid advancements in Generative AI technology, “these recommendations may need to be reviewed in the future.”
“These recommendations will forge a strong foundation to regulate the application of generative artificial intelligence in Australia’s education sector and if managed correctly GenAI in the Australian education system will be a valuable study buddy and not an algorithmic influencer,” Chester said.