The Australian Government’s ban on public school students using AI tools such as ChatGPT may be reversed next year. According to their federal education minister, students might face changes in how they are tested and graded. 

Federal education minister Jason Clare said that the state and territory ministers have agreed on a draft framework for teachers on how the technology should be used in schools. It has not been publicly released ahead of consultation with schools and teachers. However, it recommends an assessment to prevent students from aiding technology to “bluff the system”. 

 Technology is currently banned in most public-school classrooms. But some private schools are already teaching students to use it appropriately. Clare warned public school students could be left behind. 

 Television channel Sky News reported Clare’s statement that students must learn how to use technologies like this properly. The models cannot be banned and assumed that students won’t use them. Simultaneously, it must be ensured that the students get the marks they deserve and can’t use them to cheat. 

 Toby Walsh, chief scientist at the University of New South Wales’ AI Institute, welcomed the decision, opining that the ban could disadvantage the students. In his opinion, the ban ignored the reality of the situation. It is high time we accepted that tools like ChatGPT will be useful in human lives. 

 Appropriately using technology can transform education standards. The world should work out how to embrace this technology, just as we’ve embraced calculators. 

 The draft framework is expected to deal with privacy concerns. It will be rolled out in schools next year. Any use of ChatGPT in the classroom would need to be backed by evidence that it was in the best interests of teachers and students. 

 Australian universities have also changed how they run exams and other assessments amid fears students were using merging AI software to write essays.