Over half of Aussie teachers believe AI understanding will be crucial for job opportunities

Whether for or against the use of AI in the workplace, there’s no denying implementation is on the rise. This has teachers conflicted over whether or not to discuss this emerging tech and its impact on the workforce.

Previously HR Leader reported that many workplaces and schools were banning AI outright. This could result in what some are calling a ‘digital divide’ and alienate those who refuse to embrace it.

Even more alarming is the fact that recent research revealed that 93 per cent of companies are planning to ban generative AI systems, like ChatGPT.

We may be starting to see a turnaround in these sentiments as the ‘AI anxiety’ could be easing. Many teachers now see the benefits that AI has in the modern world, and how an understanding of this tech may very well be crucial to performing in the future workforce.

Capgemini Research Institute discussed this in its Future ready education: Empowering secondary school students with digital skills report. The research revealed that 55 per cent of Aussie teachers recognise the importance of AI in shaping the future workforce. Another 42 per cent said they have optimism about the benefits of AI usage in the classroom.

This is a far cry from past feelings in the classroom, where many schools banned the use of ChatGPT. Shobha Meera, chief corporate responsibility officer at Capgemini, believes this new acceptance of AI will help the future workforce to move forward.

“It is our conviction that as technologies like Generative AI increasingly shape our world and amplify the criticality of foundational digital skills, they also hold the key to bridging gaps through self-paced learning, hyper-personalization and other such capabilities,” said Ms Meera.

Teachers are increasingly recognising the significance technology has in the current job market, with 92 per cent agreeing that digital literacy is more important than data and media literacy. In fact, three-quarters of urban teachers in Australia frequently incorporate digital skills into their lessons.

There is certainly hope for the new generation of workers, with 80 per cent of teachers reporting that their students are equipped with the necessary digital skills to thrive in the modern workforce.

Now, 44 per cent of teachers see AI as a benefit in education, claiming that it enhances teaching. More may need to be done to make these numbers stronger, as 56 per cent agree that educational adaptations are necessary if AI is to be properly implemented into learning.