Understanding the basics of AI is a must-have skill for Australian students and their teachers

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C Clarke's words remind us that while AI might feel like magic — creating award-winning photography and outperforming humans in English understanding — it's important for students and teachers to understand that there's no "magic" involved, just algorithms, data and patterns. The digital divide in education As AI becomes more prevalent, the digital divide risks widening, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged students who may have limited access to resources, including devices, connectivity and educational opportunities. Hands-on activities, such as exploring dataset bias and assessing whether data is representative and fair, encourage critical thinking about AI and ethical reasoning — key skills in a world increasingly shaped by this technology. This allows teachers to spend more time on meaningful student interactions, focusing on creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking — all while teaching students how to collaborate effectively with AI.