As artificial intelligence (AI) dominates national headlines this week, discussions about its transformative potential and societal impact are intensifying at an unprecedented rate. Amidst this crucial debate, experts warn that the AI revolution poses a significant threat to educational equity, potentially leaving children from rural and remote areas, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds further behind.
Although many experts see the current wave of AI advancements as promising, there are also concerns that the technology’s growth exposes and exacerbates existing disparities in education. Limited access to quality internet and technology in rural and remote areas and unequal access to resources for low-SES families create substantial barriers to AI-powered learning opportunities. As Australia debates the impact of AI on the workforce, Schools Plus emphasises the need to equip students with crucial skills, such as digital literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving.
“It is absolutely essential that all Australian children reap the benefits of the AI revolution,” says Matt Esterman, AI Education consultant from The Next Word and 2023 Schools Plus Teaching Awards Fellow.
“As a nation we cannot afford to have some leaping forward whilst others are left behind. With consistent access to internet-connected devices and well-informed educators we can use AI to open more doors to successful education pathways. Done well, it could be a great leveller of access to opportunities, and it will certainly be an amplifier of the great human educators we have in schools.”
Bridging the digital divide
Australian Schools Plus is a national not-for-profit founded in 2014 following a recommendation in the first Gonski Review, which identified a need for philanthropic funding in schools to help close the education gap caused by disadvantage.
It’s backed by philanthropic pioneers including Kerry Stokes AC, John B Fairfax AO and Nick Fairfax and David Gonski AC and has raised more than $68 million to support more than 500,000 school children and 37,000 teachers with its targeted programs and initiatives.
Currently, Schools Plus is working towards its goal of providing 150,000 Australian children with the educational opportunities they need to thrive each year by 2027.
But the challenges around AI are multifaceted:
- Digital divide: Unequal access to reliable internet and technology in rural and remote communities creates a significant barrier to AI-powered education
- Resource disparity: Low-SES families often lack the financial resources to purchase devices, software, and internet access necessary for AI-driven learning
- Teacher training gap: Teachers in under-resourced schools may lack the training and support needed to effectively integrate AI into their classrooms
- Curriculum inequity: Curriculum development and implementation may not adequately address the specific needs and contexts of students in rural, remote, and low-SES communities.
Experts are calling for urgent and targeted action to address these inequities, particularly in light of the ongoing national dialogue about AI:
- Bridging the digital divide: Investing in infrastructure to provide reliable, high-speed internet access to all communities
- Equitable resource allocation: Providing targeted funding and resources to schools in under-resourced areas.
- Culturally responsive AI: Developing AI-powered learning tools that are culturally responsive
- Community engagement: Engaging with communities to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions.
As technology continues to transform our world, taking steps to level the playing field for children and young people in low-SES communities across the nation is increasingly important to ensure equitable access to quality education. By providing tailored support to these communities, Schools Plus aims to help children access more learning opportunities to develop the essential skills needed to thrive in the digital age.
Despite ongoing challenges with unreliable internet and varying staff IT skills, Gunbalanya School, a remote school in West Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory and a partner of Schools Plus, is making significant strides in developing children’s literacy skills through targeted and culturally relevant technology integration that values local Aboriginal knowledge.
Students are demonstrating increased engagement and proficiency in basic IT skills, while staff confidence in using technology to enhance teaching, particularly in literacy and numeracy, is growing. The school plans to roll out additional equipment, including Smart Boards and laptops, and embark on a strategic planning process to ensure long-term resource allocation and staff upskilling for continued progress in leveraging technology to improve student outcomes.
While the AI revolution has the potential to transform education, experts say it can only truly be achieved if we address the existing inequities that threaten to leave some children behind. The current national conversation about AI provides a crucial opportunity to prioritise educational equity and ensure that all children, regardless of their background or location, have the opportunity to thrive in the age of AI.
Director of Education at Schools Plus Lee Casuscelli says the national conversation around AI ethics “must also include a focus on educational equity”.
“Ensuring that all children have access to AI-powered learning opportunities is not just a matter of fairness, it’s a societal imperative.”