Government funding will help teachers use AI to ease their workloads.

The Australian and Western Australian Governments have announced a new initiative to implement artificial intelligence (AI) in selected schools across Western Australia. 

The $4.7 million AI pilot program, set to roll out in eight schools, is designed to reduce the time teachers spend on administrative tasks such as lesson planning, allowing them to dedicate more time to classroom instruction.

“Teaching is the most important job in the world. AI will never replace a great teacher, but it can help cut down the time they spend doing admin so they can spend more time in the classroom,” said Education Minister Jason Clare.

The AI tools will be used to automate routine tasks such as drafting lesson plans and suggesting learning activities that align with the national curriculum.

Schools participating in the pilot include Harrisdale Primary School, Joseph Banks Secondary College, Lesmurdie Primary School, and several others from both public and private sectors. 

The program will be managed by the Department of Education in collaboration with Catholic Education WA, the Association of Independent Schools WA, and the School Curriculum and Standards Authority.

This initiative is part of a broader $30 million commitment under the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan, aimed at addressing the increasing demands on educators across Australia. 

“We want our teachers to be teaching our kids,” said WA Minister for Education Tony Buti.

“To do this, unnecessary administrative burdens must be reduced, and we hope this new pilot program can support our teachers and ease their workload.”