The South Australian government has commenced a proof-of-concept project to test a generative AI chatbot on its private cloud. This initiative aims to enhance the government’s understanding of the technology and its potential applications.
As part of its participation in a federal inquiry on the use of generative AI in the Australian education system, the state’s department of education stated that it has been exploring ways to support this emerging technology since late 2022.
The inquiry was established in response to the need for schools and universities to grapple with the integration of AI in the Australian education system.
According to the department’s submission, it has been actively reviewing ways to facilitate the responsible and effective use of ChatGPT and similar AI technologies since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022. The goal is to make generative AI more suitable for classrooms and students.
In early 2023, the department initiated a proof-of-concept project in collaboration with Microsoft to integrate the OpenAI platform into its Azure tenancy (private cloud). This allowed the department to develop its own version of a generative AI chatbot, similar to ChatGPT.
Ability to exercise greater control over the data and information accessible
One of the key advantages of creating its own generative AI chatbot is the ability to exercise greater control over the data and information accessible through the platform. Additionally, having its own chatbot reduces the risk of inappropriate content, making it more suitable for educational purposes.
The trial is currently underway in several secondary government schools in South Australia over an eight-week period. It involves capability-building initiatives to support teachers and students in using the chatbot, as well as an observational study to assess its impact on teaching and learning. The insights gained from the trial will inform future implementation and guide the department’s strategic priorities.
The department’s submission also addresses the potential benefits and challenges of incorporating AI tools in education. It acknowledges that generative AI will continue to transform the way we live, learn, and work, and while its full potential is yet to be realized, its use in schools and workplaces will undoubtedly increase and evolve over time.
According to the department, early indications suggest that generative AI holds significant potential benefits for education. However, the challenge lies in harnessing these benefits while carefully considering learning design, as well as addressing concerns related to access, privacy, security, intellectual property, and ethics.
Furthermore, the department recognizes that the technology could create opportunities for personalized learning and streamline teaching tasks and school administration.