The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education, and Training has today tabled its report, Study Buddy or Influencer, following its inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 10 September 2024

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education, and Training has today tabled its report, Study Buddy or Influencer, following its inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system. Committee Chair, Ms Lisa Chesters MP, said ‘Generative AI (GenAI) presents exciting opportunities and yet high stakes risks for the Australian education system.’ The Committee’s 25 recommendations explore how Australian schools can maximise the opportunities presented by GenAI while successfully mitigating the risks in using the emerging technology, and ensuring adequate safeguards and guardrails are in place to prevent misuse. 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. 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 identified that this technology 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. 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 recognises that generative artificial intelligence technology may outpace the parameters of the terms of reference of this report, and these recommendations may need to be reviewed in the future. Ms Chesters said that ‘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.’ The full report of the inquiry can be found on the Committee’s inquiry webpage.  Media enquiries Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair Kate Sutherland, Office and Parliamentary Program Manager kate.surtherland@aph.gov.au (03) 5443 9055 For background information Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 4573 ee.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training is holding its first public hearing for its inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the Australian education system.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 5 September 2023

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training is holding its first public hearing for its inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the Australian education system.   Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Committee Chair, said, “The Committee is convening a panel of AI experts to open our public hearing program. This panel brings together expertise in education, curriculum innovation and digital technology, the responsible and ethical use of AI, and policy and regulation.”   “The use of generative AI has increased rapidly in the past year including by students and teachers,” Ms Chesters said.   “Submissions to the inquiry have identified issues that we want to explore further, including the risks AI poses to academic integrity, and the potential it offers to personalise learning and address educational disadvantage,” Ms Chesters said. “The Committee will hold further public hearings over the coming months to examine these and other issues in depth, with representatives from government agencies, educational institutions, peak bodies, academics, and others.”    Public hearing details will be posted on the Committee’s website when available. More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and how to make a submission, can be found on the Committee website.   Public hearing details Date: Wednesday 6 September 2023 Time: 11.00am to 12.00pm Location: Committee Room 2S3 The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.   Media inquiries   Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair Erin Auld, Media Adviser Erin.auld@aph.gov.au (03) 5443 9055   For background information   Committee Secretariat  02 6277 4573 ee.reps@aph.gov.au   For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training has launched an inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 25 May 2023

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training has launched an inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system. Chair of the Committee, Lisa Chesters MP, noted that ‘artificial technologies are increasingly available in education settings, presenting both opportunities and challenges. This inquiry will examine the ways in which these technologies may impact education outcomes for students in the Australian education system.’ ‘We will have a particular focus on the emergence of generative AI technologies, and the benefits and the risks they may hold for the Australian education system, now and into the future,’ Ms Chesters said. ‘The Committee encourages submissions from stakeholders in this field, including industry experts, researchers, educators and others interested in the issue.’ More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the Committee website. Media inquiries Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair Korey Fernando, Media Adviser Korey.Fernando@aph.gov.au (03) 5443 9055 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4573 ee.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.