AI in Action: Future-Ready Schools
Across Australian schools, artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated to engage students and simplify administrative tasks. However, many educators still lack clear guidance on how to use AI effectively. One core issue is the shortage of quality professional development focused specifically on AI, leaving teachers and leaders without the support they need amid already heavy workloads.
This week, Toddle is hosting a virtual event connecting over 5,000 school leaders, educators, and innovators from Australia and New Zealand. The AI in Action: Future-Ready Schools event focuses on practical ways AI can improve learning experiences, streamline school operations, and prepare students for upcoming challenges.
Voices Leading the Conversation
Keynote speakers include:
- Jan Owen, Chair and Founder of Learning Creates Australia
- Toby Walsh, ARC Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of AI at UNSW
- Adrian Cotterell, Director of AI & Assessment Solutions
- Chris Bush, Churchill Fellow and experienced secondary school leader
- Dr Nici Sweaney, AI consultant and Founder of Ai Her Way, with two decades of experience as an academic scientist and data strategist
Dr Sweaney highlighted how AI is reshaping school leadership. Over the next 12 to 24 months, leaders will face decisions not just about adopting new technologies but about cultivating culture change. Creating safe environments where staff can explore and embed AI without fear or overload will be crucial.
Leadership in the Age of AI
School leaders won’t need to be AI experts but must become "curators of capability." This means asking the right questions, assessing AI tools critically, and protecting their communities. Leaders will need to explain the reasons behind AI adoption, focusing on purpose rather than just functionality.
Trust will become a key factor as students and parents expect leaders to balance innovation with responsibility. Dr Sweaney points out that this balance will shape what leadership looks like in coming years.
Practical Advice for Educators
Many educators worry about keeping pace with tech-savvy peers. Dr Sweaney reminds them that no one feels completely current, and engaging in conversations about AI means they are on track. The goal isn’t to adopt every new tool but to focus on those that matter and serve clear purposes.
Her approach centers on supporting educators to do their work more efficiently and with less stress. Critical thinking, care, communication, and adaptability remain essential skills—AI extends, not replaces, these abilities.
To get started with AI, Dr Sweaney suggests identifying one task that drains time and energy, then exploring AI solutions for that task. No need to master everything at once—openness to learning is key, and support is available through communities like this event.
Looking Forward
Dr Sweaney hopes the event encourages schools to lead with intention rather than reaction. She wants schools to define how AI fits their values, teaching methods, and communities. Building confidence internally and maintaining transparency with stakeholders will help schools make thoughtful, long-term decisions.
She also emphasizes that AI should be part of broader conversations about equity, student agency, teacher wellbeing, and future learning design. If school leaders take even one ethical, well-supported step with AI, that counts as progress and real leadership.
Ultimately, the goal is not simply to use AI, but to leverage AI in ways that create time, build trust, and improve outcomes for everyone involved.
For educators looking to deepen their understanding of AI and its practical applications, explore Complete AI Training’s latest courses to find resources tailored to education professionals.
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