UNSW partners with Australian AI Day to teach kids the basics of AI
Australian children will be taught the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) through a new partnership between the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and AI in Schools.
The partnership has resulted in a new and improved Australian AI Day, an initiative to teach students in years 5 to 10 the fundamentals of AI – what it is, how it works, what it can be used for, its limitations and risks – with the aim of developing ethical users and developers of the technology.
Australia AI Day will begin in 2022 and has benefited more than 80,000 students over the past three years. The event teaches lessons originally developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and I2 Learning.
The partnership with UNSW will last for four years and will develop and strengthen the program to strengthen the AI workforce of the future and educate our citizens as technology becomes increasingly part of everyday life.
The partnership is funded through a $982,000 grant from supporters, including the TDB Charitable Foundation, and is expected to run for four years.
UNSW's new project will be led by Dr Jake Renzella, co-head of the university's Computing and Education Research Group and Dean (Computer Science) in the School of Computer Science and Engineering.
“This is a groundbreaking collaboration between UNSW and Australia AI Day and we're excited about the future of Australia AI Day, which recognises the huge impact artificial intelligence will have on Australian lives today and in the future,” he said.
“This will ensure Australian children are not only prepared for the transition to AI, but also able to harness the benefits it will bring.”
The lessons and activities provided by Day of AI Australia are designed to be easy to teach even to teachers with no background in computer technology and understandable to students of all abilities.
“AI Day aims to spark students' curiosity about AI and computer science and encourage them to develop skills that will be important for the future,” said Natasha Banks, Program Director, AI Day Australia.
“If students understand what AI involves and how it applies to their lives, they will be much more likely to consider AI as a further study or career option.
“We want to give every student in Australia the opportunity to become the inventors and creators of the future.”
Additionally, Roly Clifton-Bligh from the TDM Foundation said, “The TDM Foundation is the driving force behind bringing AI Day to Australian students and we're honoured to be partnering with some of Australia's leading AI experts.”
“The AI Australia Day team and partners have customised global classroom materials to suit the Australian curriculum and context, showcasing Australian scientists and technologies, their applications and impacts.
“The TDM Foundation is committed to developing the next generation of leaders in digital technology to benefit Australia and the AI Day is an exciting initiative in this field.”
Daniel Croft
Born in the heart of Western Sydney, Daniel Croft is a passionate journalist with an understanding of and writing experience in the technology sector. After studying at Macquarie University, he joined Momentum Media in 2022 and has written for a number of publications including Australian Aviation, Cyber Security Connect and Defence Connect. Outside of writing, Daniel has a keen interest in music and plays in bands around Sydney.
