Challenges in education are complex – AI has the potential to help but must be carefully managed through collaboration and transparency
The Productivity Commission’s interim report ‘Building a skilled and adaptable workforce’ rightly highlights teacher workload as one of the most pressing issues to address in schools.
The factors driving escalating teacher and school leader workloads are many and complex. While the Commission’s report highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce workloads and assist student learning, this is just one part of the broader set of reforms needed to support teachers and their school communities.
The IEU will be developing a detailed response to the Commission’s interim report in consultation with our members – the issues raised have the potential to significantly impact the operation of schools and the work of our 75,000 members.
School employers have variously begun to implement AI education trials and pilots. It’s essential that any such projects are developed in consultation with employees and their union through collective bargaining or other joint consultative processes.
Rushed implementation of untested or poorly managed AI programs in education can increase, rather than reduce, workloads. School staff must be given adequate release time, specialist support, and professional development to implement and manage these changes safely and effectively.
Centrally generated lesson plans, AI marking tools, and other education technologies must be proven to be accurate, adaptable to classroom needs, and not undermine teacher autonomy or professional judgement.
The introduction of new AI programs and tools in schools, combined with broader considerations around job impacts and explicit AI deepfake abuse, reinforces the need for strong regulatory oversight. This should include a National AI Authority and overarching AI Act to ensure laws keep pace with rapidly accelerating technology.