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Aussie schoolchildren are set to be educated on the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) thanks to a new partnership between the University of NSW (UNSW) and AI in Schools.
The result of the partnership is a new and improved version of Day of AI Australia, an initiative to educate students from years 5 to 10 on AI basics – what AI is, how it works, what it can be used for, its limitations and the risks it presents, all with the goal of creating ethical users and developers of the technology.
Day of AI Australia started in 2022 and has benefited over 80,000 students over the last three years. It teaches lessons developed initially by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and i2 Learning.
UNSW’s partnership will last four years and see the program developed and enhanced to better bolster our AI workforce of tomorrow, as well as educate our citizens as the technology becomes increasingly commonplace and day-to-day.
The partnership was funded by supporters, including the TDB Charitable Foundation via a $982,000 grant, which will be deployed over the four-year period.
The new UNSW project will be led by the university’s co-head of the computing and education research group and director of studies (computer science) in the School of Computer Science Engineering, Dr Jake Renzella.
“This is a landmark collaboration between UNSW and Day of AI Australia, and we are so excited for the future of the Day of AI Australia. This collaboration recognises the massive impact that artificial intelligence will have on Australian lives today, and in the future,” he said.
“It ensures Aussie kids are not only ready for the AI shift, but poised to take advantage of the benefits it will bring.”
The lessons and activities that Day of AI Australia brings are designed to be easily taught by teachers without a background in computer technology and understood by students of all abilities.
“The Day of AI is designed to spark students’ curiosity about AI and computer science and to encourage them to develop the skills that will be critical to the future,” said Day of AI Australia program director Natasha Banks.
“If students are able to see what AI involves and how many ways it applies to their lives, they are much more likely to consider it as a further study and career option.
“We want all Australian students to have the opportunity to be the inventors and creators of the future.”
Additionally, TDM Foundation’s Roly Clifton-Bligh said: “The TDM Foundation has been the driving force in bringing Day of AI to Australian students, and we are so privileged to partner with some of Australia’s leading AI experts.
“The Day of AI Australia team and partners tailor the global lesson materials to the Australian curriculum and context, showcasing Australian scientists and technologies, their applications and impacts.
“The TDM Foundation is working to develop the next generation of leaders in digi-tech to benefit Australia – Day of AI is an exciting initiative in this space.”
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