Trinity Anglican Grammar principal Paul Sjogren said school was considering embracing ChatGPT with strict guidelines

Despite state education system black-listing artificial software such as ChatGPT, a Cairns private school is open-minded to embracing it with strict guidelines.

Despite state education system black-listing artificial software such as ChatGPT, a Cairns private school is open-minded to embracing it with strict guidelines.

ChatGPT is a website capable of writing hundreds of words on a topic in just seconds based off a simple question.

Queensland and New South Wales governments have black-listed the software, while South Australian universities and catholic schools will allow students to use AI to prepare assignments.

Trinity Anglican School has been recognised in the best 8 primary schools in Australia, and the best in Cairns at the Australian Education Awards. TAS primary students, Camryn Dunn, Alex Roll, Jade Thomas and Ari Rajeswaran study online in the classroom. Picture: Brendan Radke

Trinity Anglican School’s principal Mr Paul Sjogren said schools were adaptable and should be able to change according to technology.

“We’re still having a look at the impacts of this technology, but ultimately technology is always one to embrace. You can’t always just hide when things change,” he said.

“It will shift the focus from the content our students are writing to the ideas they’re coming up with, and that can be positive.”

Mr Sjogren said when scientific calculators most thought it was going to “destroy education”.

“It will all depend on our approach as a society ... how can we use it to give a voice to the voiceless?” he said.

“Great teachers know when their students have written something or not. We are working hard to create strict guidelines around it, but we can’t be complacent and ban it.”

A spokeswoman from the education department said it was banning the technology until they knew more about it.

Technology in schools. Photo: generic

“It is important for schools to educate students about the ethical and academic implications of using AI to complete assignments,” she said.

“Misuse of artificial intelligence by a student may be considered academic misconduct or a

technology violation. This information is typically outlined in the Student Code of Conduct in

place at all Queensland state schools.”

For the catholic education diocese of Cairns, executive director of catholic education Bill Dixon said it was difficult to manage outside of school hours.

“ChatGPT is currently blocked on the Catholic Education network, so it can’t be used in schools. But we don’t have any control over private use by students on their home connections,” he said.

“Cairns Catholic Education is evaluating its possible use. It presents opportunities, but also comes with challenges.”

Originally published as Trinity Anglican Grammar principal Paul Sjogren said school was considering embracing ChatGPT with strict guidelines