Today, International Grammar School joined schools across the country in celebrating Day of AI Australia, a national initiative designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence and its growing role in the world around them.
From Kindergarten to Year 12, students across the School participated in a full day of age-appropriate lessons, discussions and hands-on activities exploring how AI works, how it is shaping society and how it can be used ethically and responsibly.
Developed originally by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and adapted for Australian schools in partnership with UNSW and leading experts, Day of AI Australia equips young people with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to navigate an increasingly AI-driven future.
Throughout the day, classrooms across IGS engaged with carefully designed learning experiences tailored to each stage of learning. Younger students discovered the foundations of artificial intelligence through creative and collaborative activities such as designing AI robots and exploring how AI “senses” work, while older students examined more complex topics including generative AI, media and truth, ethics, environmental impacts and the role of AI across different industries.
Importantly, the lessons were designed to enhance creativity, collaboration and problem-solving. Activities throughout the day combined technology with discussion-based learning, physical tasks and hands-on experiences that encouraged students to think critically about both the opportunities and challenges AI presents.
The program also explored important topics such as bias, privacy, academic integrity and ethical decision-making, helping students build the digital literacy skills necessary to engage with emerging technologies safely and thoughtfully.
A highlight of the day was a series of assemblies and presentations featuring experts from education, science and technology.
Senior School students began the day with a special assembly featuring Dr Jake Renzella, Senior Lecturer in AI in Education at UNSW and leader of UNSW’s partnership with Day of AI Australia. Dr Renzella has helped deliver AI literacy programs to more than 250,000 students across Australia and led a $1.5 million Google.org accelerator project developing games that teach children about AI.
Students also heard from Brendan Humphreys, former Chief Technology Officer of Canva, who shared insights into the integration of AI within one of Australia’s leading technology companies. IGS Science Teacher Ms Cao also addressed students, bringing her passion for ethical technology, science and education to the discussion.
The assembly concluded with a panel discussion featuring Dr Jake Renzella, Brendan Humphreys and educator and researcher Danny Liu, exploring the evolving role of AI in education, industry and everyday life.
Middle School students later participated in their own assembly program, hearing from Dr Jake Renzella alongside IGS Head of Mathematics Ms Church and Digital Learning Specialist Ms Law. Their session also included a panel discussion with Ms Cao and Danny Liu, encouraging students to think critically about the future of technology and their place within it.
Today’s activities also marked an important step in IGS’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful and responsible engagement with emerging technologies. As part of this work, the School is establishing an AI Steering Committee made up of students and teachers from a diverse range of disciplines and perspectives. The committee will help guide conversations around AI policy, education, events and future initiatives across the School community.
Special thanks to Kimberley Law Digital Learning Specialist for organising such an enriching and engaging Day of AI program for our students, and thank you to all guest speakers and contributors who made the day possible, including teachers, faculty and business staff. Your collaboration to design and deliver engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences for students ensured the success of a rich and meaningful day.
By participating in Day of AI Australia, IGS continued empowering students not only to understand artificial intelligence, but to question it, challenge it and use it responsibly, preparing young people to engage confidently and ethically with the technologies shaping the future.
