[NSW] AI Friend or Foe?

By NSW Principal – MR TONY HANLON

“May you live in interesting times” is an English expression that is claimed to be a translation of a traditional Chinese curse. In this expression, the word, “interesting” actually means “troubling”.

Despite being so common in English as to be known as the “Chinese curse”, the saying is of doubtful authenticity as no actual Chinese source has ever been produced. The most likely connection to Chinese culture may be deduced from analysis of the late-19th-century speeches of Joseph Chamberlain – the father of the British prime minister Neville Chamberlain.

We are certainly living in “interesting” times.

There are many tensions rising in the world – threats to free trade, geo-political tensions with the superpowers and the list goes on. Adding to the concerns of everyday Australians is the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – how it will affect our jobs, our lifestyle and our children.

The continuous march of technology affects all our lives, and it can seem almost impossible to keep up with the advances being made. No one is immune to this rapid pace of change – not even our children. We have to keep up with the progress or be left behind.

Possibly the most “challenging” of all technological changes is in the field of artificial intelligence.

For all the benefits that AI may bring us, there are some notable concerns. As I have previously mentioned it will affect the most significant aspects of our lives. For educators the most unsettling concern is ensuring student work is original and not ‘machine-generated’.

At North Shore Coaching College, we are increasingly aware that students are using AI to generate their school homework and assignments. Whilst AI will provide quick answers, it will not ensure the student is actually learning – that they are developing skills and knowledge. When they are faced with an exam, especially an important one to gain admission to a selective school or secure a scholarship, students will be at a disadvantage if they have not actually learnt the important concepts and skills.

Zero Tolerance:

For that reason, North Shore Coaching College has a zero-tolerance approach to AI-generated homework assignments. We see this as no different to getting someone else to do your homework or copying slabs of information from Google or a website.

True learning requires effort. It requires a commitment to acquiring skills and knowledge. It requires growth and development. It gives us the ability to better understand our world and operate more efficiently within it.

AI generated homework provides none of these.

It can be said that the reliance on AI actually disadvantages students – ultimately robbing them of skills and knowledge that will allow them access to the better high schools and universities.

Our AI Policy:

Please understand that if we believe a student’s work has been generated in part or wholly by AI, we may request a resubmission of work or mark the homework as “incomplete”.

We know you will appreciate our policy is in the best interests of YOUR child. That your child’s original, personal homework efforts are acknowledged and valued. That they are not disadvantaged by other students using AI, or to put it bluntly, ‘AI cheating’. That your children have a brighter academic future through genuine application to their studies.

It can be said that there are some interesting examples of teachers using AI in a reverse engineering mode in a number of schools across Sydney. For example, students presented with an essay written by AI and then the students must decide what instruction the bot was given to produce such an essay. This type of activity certainly has its place in education but it is limited – it is not a replacement for actual teaching and learning.

For over 30 years, parents and students have put their trust in North Shore Coaching College to do what is right in the interest of a superior education for our students. We will continue to act in their best interests and support our families to the full extent of our abilities.

Thank you for the trust you place in North Shore Coaching College. Partnering your child on their learning journey is a privilege.

Have a wonderful week knowing we will survive and indeed, thrive, during these “interesting” times.