Students and staff from the school travelled to Japan to present live demonstrations of an AI-powered learning tool, EdChat, at the Australia Pavilion, coinciding with the Expo’s education-themed Learning and Playing Week.
The Australia Pavilion is expected to attract 28 million visitors over the Expo’s six-month duration and the event is being held as part of the South Australian Government’s $1 million partnership with the Australian Government.
EdChat has been developed by the South Australian Department for Education in partnership with Microsoft. The tool empowers students to better understand AI and how to use it to support their studies, while also having parameters in place to protect students from inappropriate information.
Built using the same OpenAI technology that powers ChatGPT, the generative AI chatbot incorporates additional design features to better safeguard students from accessing information that may put them at risk.
The visit to Japan was an opportunity for students to demonstrate the transformative impact artificial intelligence can have on learners and promote South Australia as an innovative and engaging destination for international students to choose for their studies.
“At Adelaide Botanic High School, we’re proud to champion a future-focused approach grounded in innovation and global thinking,” said Sarah Chambers, Principal of Adelaide Botanic High School. “Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant idea. If we don’t teach our students how to use AI with discernment, creativity and care, we risk handing over their futures to systems they do not understand.
“Our students are using AI not to take shortcuts, but to challenge themselves, ask better questions, and develop their own voice and creativity.”
Launched in 2023, EdChat is available in 17 government schools and is used by more than 10,000 students and has been additionally deployed to all educators and over 30,000 departmental staff.
While in Japan, students and teachers also travelled to Tokyo, Okayama and Kyoto to visit Japanese schools that are taking part in study abroad programs in South Australian Government schools.
