Catholic educators explore AI opportunities and challenges 

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission hosted an Information and Communications Technology Symposium today at UniSQ Brisbane, focusing on Artificial Intelligence for Education – leveraging opportunities and balancing risks. The event drew more than 70 participants, both online and in-person, representing a broad cross-section of senior leaders in Catholic education from across Queensland and around Australia.  

The symposium featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Microsoft’s Travis Smith and Jo Butterworth from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and provided a platform for educators to explore the potential opportunities and challenges associated with emerging AI technologies in school contexts.

Key topics included AI support for schools, challenges and ethics, AI tools for education, and leveraging AI at both system and school levels. The symposium also included panel sessions, roundtable discussions, and hands-on workshops, allowing participants to gain practical insights into AI’s role in education.  

QCEC Executive Director Allan Blagaich highlighted the strategic importance of AI in education: “AI is a key focus for QCEC, which has this year established an AI Working Group with key stakeholders from across the Queensland Catholic education sector to share developments and resources, and to support the implementation of the Education Ministers’ Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools.”   

Mr Blagaich emphasised the potential of AI while stressing the need for responsible implementation. “AI offers us a powerful tool to transform education. But it is up to us to guide its development and use in ways that are ethical, equitable, and effective,” he said.