AI safety for students: school trial
An artificial intelligence app focused on the safety of students is being trialled by eight South Australian high schools.
The app, which has been designed in partnership with Microsoft, shows students how to use AI to support their studies — while also having parameters in place to protect students from inappropriate information.
The generative AI chatbot, built on the same technology as ChatGPT, has extra design features to better protect students from accessing information that might put them at risk. It will also have better privacy and security controls.
The chatbot will be named in conjunction with the students first using it and will undergo an eight-week trial at eight schools.
“AI will be a part of our work and lives in the future, which means we have a responsibility to educate young people about its appropriate and effective use. If we don’t, then we are doing them an incredible disservice,” said Blair Boyer, SA Minister for Education, Training and Skills.
“In South Australia, we have embraced the technology, rather than attempting to ignore it and ban it. This is why we have worked with Microsoft to develop a safe version for use in schools. This work puts South Australia on the cutting edge of this technology, leading the way on both a global and national scale.”
South Australia is the only jurisdiction in the country not to have banned AI in schools.
In addition to trialling the app, there will also be guidance for schools and parents around the use of AI in education more broadly.
This includes outlining ways AI can provide educational opportunities through chatbots, image and video generation and intelligent tutoring systems. The advice also provides guidance about managing risks and additional resources.
The schools participating in the trial are Ceduna Area School, Streaky Bay Area School, Adelaide Botanic High School, Adelaide High School, Mitcham Girls High School, Unley High School, Thebarton Senior College and Glenunga International High School.
The Department is also working with South Australian-based immersive technology company Lumination to develop a student challenge using AI.
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