At the Microsoft AI Tour 2024, Leigh Williams, Chief Information Officer and IT Executive at Brisbane Catholic Education, shared her opinion on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the education arena. From reducing administrative burdens on teachers to enabling hyper-personalised learning, AI is assisting the way students engage with their studies.
Williams highlighted the implementation of Microsoft Copilot in classrooms, with a focus on its role in minimising repetitive tasks for educators.
“Teachers get into the profession to be with students,” she noted, stressing that AI allows them to focus more on teaching rather than paperwork and monotonous tasks.
A key opportunity lies in AI-driven personalisation, where lesson plans can adapt to individual students’ learning styles and paces. Instead of a rigid, one-size-fits-all curriculum, AI powers educators to tailor their teaching methods, making learning more engaging and effective. Students all learn differently and the strokes for different folks approach needs to be applied when teaching at schools and AI allows for that.
Addressing concerns about AI and academic integrity, Williams pointed out that students often use AI as a learning aid rather than a shortcut.
“They [students] are using it more like a tutor,” she explained.
Williams acknowledged that students leverage AI to generate counterarguments and strengthen their critical thinking rather than simply ‘copying answers’ or cheating.
Beyond the classroom, AI is transforming curriculum development by offering multiple ways to teach and assess students, challenging traditional exam-based evaluations. This alteration allows educators to explore new, creative teaching methodologies that in turn enables deeper learning comprehension.
Williams also acknowledged the change in attitudes toward AI in education. Over the past six months, skepticism has given way to genuine curiosity, with teachers actively seeking ways to integrate AI into their classrooms. The negative stigma towards AI in the teaching arena is diminishing.
On the cybersecurity front, Brisbane Catholic Education has reinforced its data protection strategies, ensuring student information remains secure. Comprehensive governance frameworks and policies have been implement, enabling the a balance between innovation and privacy. Privacy is still the cornerstone for the Education company.
The main question educators need to be asking is “Why not AI?”
Williams urged educators to consider the risks of not adopting AI. Enabling this technology is already proving to be a mover and shaker amongst modern education. The potential needs to be acknowledged to enhance learning, streamline operations, and prepare students for the future.
