What Works: Inside the Australian Department for Education’s Roadmap for Scaling AI

We connected with the Australian Department for Education for a behind-the-scenes look at their pilot program to introduce and scale generative AI across the school system. The insight-rich discussion provided granular details and vital specifics about how they approached the pilot, what worked, and why. This is a must-listen episode for any school leader seeking a field-tested roadmap that covers the bases, including security, getting teacher and student buy-in, and avoiding the most significant professional development mistakes.

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Martin Westwell was appointed Chief Executive of the Department for Education in April 2022, following a successful 4 years as Chief Executive of the SACE Board. Martin has worked extensively with education systems and other organizations in using evidence to inform policy, practice, innovation and impact in education. He was a Chief Investigator in the national Australian Research Council (ARC) Science of Learning Research Centre, and has worked with UNESCO using evidence to inform strategic planning of education in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2018, Martin received the prestigious Australian Council for Educational Leaders’ (ACEL) Gold Medal, awarded for the most outstanding contribution to the study and practice of educational administration and leadership. Martin completed his degree and PhD at Cambridge University and was a Research Fellow at Lincoln College, Oxford University in biological chemistry.

Daniel Hughes is the Chief Information Officer at the Department for Education, South Australia. Daneil is Responsible for the provision and overarching management of ICT Service Delivery to the Department for Education corporate business divisions and the approximate 950 public schools and pre-schools across South Australia. He is additionally responsible for the formation and implementation of a departmental-wide ‘Digital Modernisation Strategy,’ which aims to deliver better outcomes for students, teachers, and corporate staff through the use and adoption of modern technology.