Dear ACEL SA,
The recent ACEL National Conference in Sydney was a powerful reminder of the importance of staying curious, connected, and courageous in our leadership. It was also fantastic to see so many South Australians in attendance, contributing to the national conversation.
One of the standout presentations was a provocative and entertaining presentation from Dr Sandra Peter and Dr kai Riemer both from the University of Sydney. They unpacked the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its profound implications for education, leadership, and society.
Key Takeaways:
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AI is not what we expected. It doesn’t “think” or “learn” like humans. Instead, it identifies patterns in massive datasets, generating outputs that appear intelligent but are fundamentally mathematical.
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Democratised access is changing everything. From students to CEOs, everyone now has access to powerful AI tools. This opens doors for innovation but also raises concerns around trust, ethics, and misuse.
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AI is everywhere. Whether it’s writing documents, generating videos, cloning voices, or creating fake receipts, AI is embedded in daily life. The presenters warned of “underground AI” use in organisations and the risks of unregulated experimentation.
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Education and leadership must adapt. Rather than relying on restrictive policies, leaders were encouraged to foster cultures of experimentation, transparency, and shared learning. The emphasis was on building “guardrails” rather than enforcing bans.
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Students are outsourcing thinking. AI is increasingly used for life advice, academic writing, and decision-making. The challenge lies in teaching students how to think with AI, not just use it.
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AI amplifies senior expertise but may hinder junior development. Leaders must coach younger staff to critically engage with AI outputs and build foundational skills beyond prompting.
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The future is fast and cheap. With tools capable of generating realistic videos, cloning voices, and automating tasks, the urgency to rethink work design, recruitment, and assessment is greater than ever.
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AI is here, and it’s moving fast. Leaders must embrace its potential while navigating its risks. Everyone is now in R&D—experimenting, learning, and shaping the future together.
Upcoming Event: ACEL SA Hot Topic Breakfast with Dr Tom Porta
The Dilemmas of Inclusive Education: Everyone’s Right or No One’s Reality?
📅 Tuesday, November 18 – 7:15am to 8:45am (includes breakfast)
📍 Immanuel College (ICOSA Function Room), 32 Morphett Road, Novar Gardens
🎙️ Guest Speaker: Dr Tom Porta
Join us for an engaging morning of professional learning and networking as Dr Tom Porta explores the complexities of inclusive education. In a time when equity and access are at the forefront of educational discourse, this session will challenge us to consider whether inclusive education is truly achievable for all or if it risks becoming an idealised concept that fails to reflect reality.
👉 Click here to register
I would like to thank you for your ongoing support of ACEL SA. Your commitment to educational leadership continues to inspire and shape the future of learning in South Australia.
Wishing you a joyful and fulfilling end to the year and hopefully see you at our next hot topic!