A new generative artificial intelligence (AI) app, developed by the NSW Department of Education, will be trialled in 16 NSW public schools this term.
Called NSWEduChat, the app has been designed specifically for educational use and is tailored for school-aged children, making it different from many commercially available AI applications.
To ensure safety and ethical use in educational settings, NSWEduChat adheres to the guidelines outlined in the Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools, which was endorsed by all education ministers in October.
The trial will involve staff and students from a range of school types, including 10 high schools, four primary schools, a School for Specific Purposes and an Environmental Education Centre, over the first two terms of 2024.
Teachers will have the autonomy to integrate the tool into their classrooms, while students will be able to access it through the department's student portal.
Trial participants will receive comprehensive support from subject experts, as well as access to professional learning and technical resources through a virtual staff room.
The results of the trial will be closely monitored and reviewed to guide the future implementation of AI in NSW public schools.
Key security features of NSWEduChat include
- Data security:
- Privately secured, ensuring departmental control over data and mitigating risks associated with data security breaches and privacy concerns.
- Aligned with NSW and Australian curriculum and departmental values and policies.
- Built-in safeguards:
- Responds only to school-related requests, using content filtering and topic restriction to monitor and eliminate inappropriate content.
- Encourages critical thinking by providing guided questions rather than direct answers, encouraging students to think for themselves.
- Provides high-quality, accurate support at no cost, surpassing the capabilities of premium paid AI tools.